Timbuktu Institute - Week 1 - April 2026

In Senegal, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is beginning his second year in office with increasing pressure on his government. After commending the efforts of the entire cabinet, the message is clear: it is time to move from words to action. The priorities are social and economic: lowering the cost of living, creating jobs for young people, and improving public management. The President seems intent on setting a faster pace for his ministers, demanding rapid and measurable results. This is the ideal time to take stock while presenting new improvement strategies to address as many needs as possible. After two years at the helm of the country, focusing on issues such as finances and social dialogue is the best way to gain a deeper understanding of the country’s realities. He also faces the challenge of demonstrating concrete changes to avoid a social and political climate that is quite hostile toward government policy. This is therefore a test of credibility for the entire leadership team, which must demonstrate flawless coordination to deliver satisfactory results and prove that its governance model is not only transparent but also effective in lifting the country out of its economic difficulties.

Intensification of Military Operations in Northern Sindian

The Senegalese army is not letting up in the North Sindian region, near the Gambian border. Recent operations aim to dismantle the last remaining bases of armed groups that rely on trafficking and to eradicate cannabis fields, thereby limiting its spread. Due to the instability in the region, the Senegalese government seeks to reaffirm its full presence there. By neutralizing these hotspots of insecurity, the goal is also to enable displaced populations to return and farm their land in complete safety. This is a strategy that combines military force with local development. However, the area is difficult to access, and the armed groups know the terrain inside out. The army must therefore demonstrate perseverance and flexibility, as the success of this security operation is crucial for peace and stability throughout the border region. More than a military victory, it is the reintegration of these neglected territories, which are just waiting to be reoccupied by their inhabitants.