Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko's long-awaited general policy statement finally took place. For around three hours on Friday December 27, the President of Pastef outlined the foundations of a vast program of economic reforms to turn around the country's socio-economic situation. “ It is imperative to make a break of a depth and scope never seen before in our country, never seen since our accession to independence ”, he declared. Denouncing Senegal's entrenchment “ in the colonial economic model ‘, Ousmane Sonko announced a major tax reform, by ’ broadening the tax base, while gradually lowering average tax rates ”. The aim is to “ make all Senegalese pay less, but make all Senegalese pay more ‘, in order to ’ achieve an efficient and equitable tax system ”. The Prime Minister promised that Senegal would “ withdraw from all bilateral agreements involving a tax haven, and renegotiate unfavorable clauses in agreements concluded with normal-tax states, where these agreements are unfavorable to us.” In addition, he announced the application of “the principle of reciprocity for the issuance of visas to nationals of certain countries who require them for our nationals ”. Finally, he mentions a project to repeal the amnesty law - brought in by ex-president Macky Sall - which covers the violent events that left dozens dead between 2021 and 2024.

Sovereignty from theory to practice?

" I have instructed the Minister of the Armed Forces to propose a new doctrine for defense and security cooperation, implying, among other consequences, the end of all foreign military presences in Senegal, as of 2025 ”. With these words, President Diomaye Faye set December 31, in his New Year's address, as the date for the withdrawal of foreign military bases from the country. Although France was not mentioned by name, this statement is in line with the Senegalese president's comments on the incompatibility of France's military presence with Senegalese sovereignty. In keeping with his declared desire to redefine the terms of his partnerships rather than to make a complete break with them, Diomaye Faye nevertheless made it clear that “ all Senegal's friends will be treated as strategic partners; within the framework of an open, diversified and uncomplicated cooperation. ”

The political front still open?

Earlier this month, in the space of a few days, the now ex-mayor of Dakar, Barthélémy Dias, suffered two major setbacks. First, notwithstanding his election, he lost his seat in Parliament. This follows the removal of his mandate as a member of parliament for the opposition coalition Samm Sa Kaddu, due to a two-year prison sentence - including six months' imprisonment - in December 2023, in the Ndiaga Diouf case dating back to 2011. In accordance with article 61 of the Senegalese Constitution, the Minister of Justice, Ousmane Diagne, referred the matter to the office of the National Assembly, which thus proceeded to strike him off the list. Not to return to the National Assembly, but so that the Senegalese can see for themselves whether those currently in power believe in the rule of law “, he reacted on December 9. A few days later - on December 13 - Barthélémy Dias was also stripped of his seat as mayor of Dakar. According to a document signed by Dias himself, the prefect was asked to pronounce his resignation on grounds of ineligibility in connection with the above-mentioned affair. The complaint was instigated by a Pastef party activist.

Internally , comments made by Minister-Counsellor Cheikh Oumar Diagne on the subject of Senegalese infantrymen have caused a major controversy. In a television broadcast on December 21, he called them “ traitors who fought for their brothers ”. This statement, which came just three weeks after the Senegalese government's solemn commemoration of the skirmishers, was clearly ill-timed. Finally, in a presidential decree issued on December 30, President Diomaye Faye appointed Papa Thione Dieng as the new Director of General Resources at the Presidency, replacing Cheikh Oumar Diagne.

Economic interests as a link with Mauritania?

Senegal and Mauritania continue to move ever closer to exploiting their joint gas field. Indeed, the two countries have announced the opening of the first well” of their marine deposit, an important step that should lead to the ‘commercialization’ of the product, according to a joint press release issued on January 1. “ The achievement of this milestone marks a major step towards the completion of the GTA project, and consolidates the exemplary partnership between Mauritania and Senegal, which is now destined to play a key role in the regional energy industry ”, says the note. The project, known as Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA), is being developed by the UK's BP together with the US's Kosmos Energy, Mauritania's Société Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures (SMH) and Senegal's Petrosen. Launched in 2020, it aims to produce 100,000 barrels per day.