POLITICS
SENEGAL – 62nd anniversary of independence/ full speech by President Macky Sall

Senegal Celebrates 62nd Anniversary of Independence: Full Speech by President Macky Sall
On the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of Senegal’s independence, President Macky Sall addressed his compatriots.
As is customary on the eve of the Independence Day, the President of the Republic, Macky, addressed himself in a radio-televised speech to the Senegalese people. We offer you his entire speech.
My dear compatriots,
Tomorrow, April 4, 2022, we are united in celebrating the 62nd anniversary of our country’s independence.
To all, dear compatriots here and in the Diaspora, I extend my warm congratulations.
I pay tribute to our valiant Lions, who gave us the first CAN in our history, and our country’s second consecutive World Cup football qualification.
Thank you, dear Lions, to your coach and your support for having carried so high the national colors.
Our prayers and best wishes for success accompany you on your journey to the 2022 World Cup. As always, the State will be at your side to give you all the necessary support.
On behalf of the African Union, which our country has the honour of presiding over this year, I greet our brothers and sisters in Africa and express to them my unwavering commitment to serve the interests of our continent.
By the grace of God, our national holiday is held in times of intense spiritual fervour, with Ramadan and Lent.
May the spirit of faith and harmony that this blessed time brings strengthen our living together in national peace, stability and harmony.
Due to the work on the BRT site, the parade marking this edition will take place in the Place de l’Indépendance, in a reduced format; but with all the solemnity that exalts our common desire for common life and the symbiosis Armée-Nation.
On your behalf and on my own, I wish to express to our dear veterans our sentiments of respect, affection and gratitude.
The enduring memory of their sacrifices in defence of freedom will always be etched in our hearts and minds.
To you, officers, non-commissioned officers and non-commissioned members, I reiterate my confidence and the pride of the nation.
I salute the memory of our fallen soldiers. I wish the injured a speedy recovery.
I renew my support for those of you who are deployed in the service of world peace, and in operations for the defence of territorial integrity, and the fight against cross-border crime and the looting of our natural resources.
I have instructed our Defence and Security Forces to continue these operations without respite until all assigned objectives are achieved.
The men and women who have chosen the profession of arms to defend the vital interests of the nation, at the risk of their lives, deserve our support and our gratitude.
That is why I want our soldiers’ living conditions to be constantly improved, their missions to be operationally effective and their families to be safe.
This year’s theme for Independence Day is Defence and Security Forces and National Resilience.
In a turbulent and uncertain global context, compounded by the profound health and economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic, this theme invites us to persevere in our individual and collective efforts in the face of the challenges of our time.
Our Defence and Security Forces, standing shoulder to shoulder with the nation, have made a remarkable contribution to the implementation of our health and socio-economic response strategy, in addition to the execution of sovereign measures.
In the same spirit, in the face of increasing perils and the complexity of threats, the program of strengthening the operational capacities of our army continues, so that our Defence and Security Forces are ready, at all times and in all places, to ensure their mission of defending the national territory.
In addition, 12 new gendarmerie squadrons, 11 public security stations and 3 advanced border posts have been created, in addition to the acquisition of new means of combating major delinquency and organized crime.
These efforts, among others, will be maintained and strengthened.
My dear compatriots,
In my message to the nation on the occasion of the New Year, I spoke to you about our economic and social development policies, including the implementation of infrastructure projects essential to the goal of emergence.
Since then, we have:
– inaugurated Diamniadio’s Abdoulaye Wade Stadium and Foundiougne’s Nelson Mandela Bridge;
-commissioned the Camberen Autopont;
– launched the work on the second phase of the TER, while the implementation of the BRT and the Mbour-Fatick-Kaolack motorway projects is progressing at a satisfactory pace.
At the same time, vocational training, employment and the socio-economic integration of young people remain at the heart of my priorities.
The implementation of the Xëyu ndaw ñi Emergency Programme, funded to the tune of CFAF 450 billion over three years, continues within the Employment and Entrepreneurship Clusters for Youth and Women, DER/FJ, ANPEJ, ADPME, FONGIP, FERA, PROMOVILLES, AGETIP, 3FPT and the National State-Private Employers Convention.
In total, in various sectors such as the environment and living environment, health, tourism, security, national civic service and socio-educational animation, the Emergency Programme generated 46,334 jobs, 12,200 training vouchers and funded 86,023 beneficiaries.
Training centres in the horticultural, poultry, hotel and restaurant sectors were received in Diama, Thiepp, Diamniadio, Gandon and Ziguinchor; and 12 local centres were opened in various localities in the regions of Saint-LaurentLouis, Matam, Louga, Diourbel and Fatick.
This evening, my dear compatriots, considering the high risk of shortages and soaring prices due to the global crisis, I call for a general mobilization to increase and enhance our agricultural, livestock and fishing products.
In order to provide relief to households, I lowered the prices of basic necessities, including rice, sugar and oil; and increased the subsidy of local rice.
But to be safe from the vagaries of the international economy, we must, through an individual and collective effort on our own, show resilience by quickly winning the battle for food sovereignty.
Indeed, independence is not an isolated act of a day, but a permanent struggle, which is also being won on the front of food security. This is what adds to national sovereignty an additional freedom.
We have to produce what we consume and consume what we produce.
This is the sense of massive investments that the State continues to devote to the modernization and diversification of the sectors of livestock, fisheries and agriculture.
In addition, for the second time in a row, the budget for the crop year has been increased from CFAF 60 billion to CFAF 70 billion this year.
In this quest for food self-sufficiency, I urge the vital forces of the nation, especially young people, women and the private sector, to invest more in the value chains of livestock, fisheries and agriculture.
The experience of the Community Agricultural Estates (CARs) shows that we can meet this challenge, just like the beautiful harvests of Keur Momar Sarr’s CARs, only seven months after its launch last July.
The same is true of the Mboro Incubator pilot project, launched by the Senegalese Youth Entrepreneurship Programme in partnership with the private sector as part of the Xëyu ndaw ñi initiative.
In less than a year, this modern multifunctional complex, funded to more than CFAF 5 billion, has achieved excellent performance by putting quality products on the market.
In addition, the incubator has trained 1,053 young people, more than 22,000 GIE members, and assisted 500 young entrepreneurs in completing the necessary paperwork for their activities.
Meeting the challenge of food self-sufficiency also means facilitating trade between production areas and markets.
This is the purpose of the Special Road Opening Programme, covering more than 2500 km of roads currently in operation.
In addition, the Northern and Central Agricultural Connectivity Improvement Program, funded by the State and supported by the World Bank, will soon be launched.
At an overall cost of CFAF 130 billion, this new programme will provide road infrastructure and capacity building for training and production.
Among other things, it will facilitate access to areas of agricultural production, fisheries and livestock farming, in order to improve transport conditions and strengthen internal trade and with neighbouring countries.
In addition, the rural component of the Programme d’Appui aux Communes et Agglomérations du Sénégal (PACASEN-rural), funded to the tune of CFAF 352 billion, will start this year to improve access to basic social services in 435 municipalities.
I would remind you that the urban component of PACASEN is already in operation.
The policies of territorial equity and social justice will always remain at the centre of my concerns; for from the bottom of my heart, I want every Senegalese and every Senegalese to have his share of well-being, dignity and decency as a nation that wants to show solidarity, united and indivisible can offer to all its citizens.
This is the vocation of the Senegalese nation. That is the legacy of the elders, and that is the legacy we owe to future generations.
For my part, I will remain tirelessly the vigilant guardian of this national heritage and the demands attached to our values of culture and civilization.
Together, my dear compatriots, on the path marked out by our elders, let us continue to build this nation rich in its diversity; this warm and welcoming nation, which embraces us and makes our hearts beat at every moment of our lives, to give life and strength to our common destiny.
Long live Senegal!
Good evening and happy Independence Day.
POLITICS
SENEGAL – The New Responsibility party will participate in the national dialogue

In a statement released on Sunday, May 18, the New Responsibility (NR), party led by former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, officially announced its participation in the national dialogue convened by President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye. This decision comes in a tense political context where several political formations have already made known their divergent positions on this presidential initiative.
Participation conditioned by broader ambitions
While New Responsibility (NR) confirms its presence in the upcoming discussions, it does not fail to point out that the proposed framework seems too narrow. The central theme of the political system is important, but it alone is not enough to meet the deep and legitimate expectations of Senegalese women and men,” reads the communiqué.
The party of Amadou Ba, defining itself as “an indisputable political force”, thus proposes to significantly expand the agenda of discussions to include several economic and social concerns that it considers priorities:
Public debt and the control of budget deficits;
Tax fairness;
Youth employment and employability;
Migration dynamics;
Sustainable development;
Purchasing power and the high cost of living;
The preservation of fundamental freedoms;
A strategic position in the political arena
This announcement comes at a time when the Senegalese political landscape remains divided on the very appropriateness of this dialogue. By agreeing to participate while seeking to redefine its scope, the New Responsibility adopts a constructive and critical posture that could allow it to stand out.
“Our participation is part of a dynamic of critical and constructive contribution, in a political, economic and social context of particular concern that requires rapid appeasement measures”, says the party, thus alluding to the tensions that run through Senegalese society.
A Republican vision claimed
The New Responsibility (NR) recalls its attachment to its credo “JAMM AK NJARIN” (peace and shared prosperity) and insists on its conception of national dialogue as “a republican instrument of pacification, strengthening democracy and consolidation of the rule of law”.
BURKINA FASO
BURKINA FASO – Ouagadougou and Dakar join forces to fight terrorism

The Senegalese Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko made his first official visit to Burkina Faso on Friday, May 16, 2025. During this visit, he reaffirmed to Captain Ibrahim Traoré the willingness of Senegal to provide its support in the face of the terrorist threat in the Sahel.
On an official visit to Ouagadougou, Ousmane Sonko, Prime Minister of Senegal, was received in audience by the President of the Transition of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. Accompanied by three members of his government—Yassine Fall, Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration; Birame Diop, Minister of the Armed Forces; and Khady Diène Gaye, Minister of Sport — The head of the Senegalese government engaged in more diplomatic exchanges at the summit.
This first visit to Burkina Faso takes place against a background of high security tensions in the region. At the end of his meeting with President Traoré, Ousmane Sonko wished to express “the solidarity of the Senegalese people towards the people of Burkina Faso in the face of this test imposed on them, which they did not choose”. In addition, he provided “absolute support” to the transitional authorities and affirmed Senegal’s readiness to consider “any possibility of collaboration and support” in the face of the terrorist threat. He also stressed the need for a united and structured response, because, he said: “None of our countries can escape this gangrene”.
Ousmane Sonko, in his statements, calls for a collective approach to security in West Africa. He also said: “It is illusory to believe that the security threat will stop at the borders of Burkina Faso, Mali or Niger. It is a struggle of all West Africa”.
Ousmane Sonko not only spoke to Ouagadougou, but also to Bamako and Niamey.
Apart from the diplomatic issues, the visit of the Senegalese Prime Minister also has a historical dimension. Indeed, on Saturday, May 17, 2025, he took part in the inauguration of the Thomas Sankara Mausoleum, an emblematic figure of Pan-Africanism and its 12 companions in Ouagadougou. For the Senegalese Prime Minister, Thomas Sanka who is one of his master thinkers “has been illuminating all the pan-Africanist and sovereignist struggles on the continent for a few decades”. He also planned to meet with the Senegalese community living in Burkina Faso.
MALI
MALI – The Malian transitional government dissolves all political parties

Mali is turning a decisive page in its political life. By a presidential decree, adopted by the extraordinary Council of Ministers on 13 May 2025, the authorities of the military transition have officially dissolved all political parties and organizations of a political nature in the country. This is unprecedented in the country. In addition to generating a wave of national and international outrage, this decree marks the end of multi-party democracy.
A dissolution with the taste of “reform”
The announcement was made on the ORTM channel by Mamani Nassiré, Minister delegate to the Prime Minister responsible for political reforms. According to him, this decision is part of a broad process of “re-founding” political life. The government says it wants to “clean up” the partisan landscape by reducing the number of political parties now estimated at nearly 300. The government wants to set up and review their funding, which amounts to 0.25% of annual tax revenues. No political party can now organize meetings or carry out activities, under penalty of sanctions. On the other hand, elected representatives and officials belonging to political parties can continue their missions, on the sole condition that they no longer claim to be members of their party.
A repressed measure
For several weeks, many political parties, including the “Yelema” party, had denounced this project. Its president, Youssouf Diawara, said: “Political parties are not the problem in Mali. The emergency is insecurity, high cost of living, health and education”. Indeed, the political parties that oppose this decree see it as a violation of the Constitution and a setback for democracy. A citizen protest movement had emerged in early May. A demonstration, which gathered several hundred people on May 3, 2025 in Bamako, was quickly dispersed by the security forces. During this demonstration, several opposition and civil society figures were arrested and some people are reported missing.
Sanctioned media
In the past four years, Mali has seen two military coups. On 18 August 2020, President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and his Prime Minister Boubou Cissé were removed from power before being arrested. Nine months later, the transitional president Bah N’Daw and his prime minister Moctar Ouane are deposed on May 24, 2021. In ten years, Mali has experienced three coups with the military takeover in 2012, and the fifth in the history of Mali after the coups d’état of 1991 and 1968. The Malian authorities have increased restrictions on both foreign and domestic media. They accuse them of partiality in the treatment of information concerning the situation of the country and disinformation. At the national level, in December 2024, the Djoliba TV News report was withdrawn. The High Authority for Communication (HAC) of Mali. The channel TV5 Monde has been suspended again “until further notice” on 13 May 2025. She is accused of “lack of impartiality” in her coverage of opposition protest movements on May 3, 2025 in her report for the 20:30 newspaper. It had already been suspended for three months in 2024.
Suspension of political parties: After Burkina Faso and Niger, it is the turn of Mali
The repeal of the charter of political parties that set their legal and financial frameworks, leaves an institutional vacuum according to its refractory. Political parties no longer exist legally. Only civil society still exists. But it remains closely monitored by the state. With this new decision taken by the transitional government, Mali joins its ESA neighbours. Before him, Burkina Faso suspended political party activities since September 2022. In Niger, General Abdourahamane Tiani ordered the dissolution of parties on 26 March 2025 following controversial national assizes.
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