Appointed new Minister of the Interior last Friday, Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé took up his duties yesterday following a handing over of reins from Prime Minister Sidiki Kaba. The former Director of the President’s Cabinet, who will be organising the presidential election on 24 March, spoke of the crucial challenges that lie ahead. Without mentioning President Macky Sall’s name, the new minister displayed an unshakeable determination to serve the nation and ensure respect for democratic rules.

It should not be long before Senegal elects its new President. At yesterday’s handover ceremony with Prime Minister Sidiki Kaba, the new Minister of the Interior, Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé, spoke with firmness and determination, outlining the crucial challenges that lie ahead. « It was through the confidence of the Head of State that I held the position of Director of Cabinet, which I am leaving, assured of the same confidence, he is entrusting me with a new mission of crucial importance for our Nation. I consider that my true mission is the sum of my missions in the service of the State of Senegal », he declared, underlining the importance of this new responsibility entrusted to him.

Speaking to former Interior Minister Sidiki Kaba, now Prime Minister, Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé expressed both his respect and his determination to meet the challenges ahead. « The department that is now building another link between our destinies demands a high level of rigour. What does rigour mean, if not loyalty to the State, precisely to the person who embodies it and whose opinion or decision affects the destiny of the Nation », emphasised Makhtar Cissé.

During the handing over ceremony, Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé spoke of the many security challenges facing Senegal, calling for constant adaptation to new threats such as terrorism, cybercrime and illicit trafficking. He also reiterated the crucial importance of the presidential election scheduled for 24 March, stressing the need to ensure a peaceful and transparent electoral process. « The presidential election must also take place in calm, peace and serenity. As the guarantor of civil peace and public order, we will ensure strict compliance with the rules of the game. The various political headquarters in competition will have to refrain from any violent act, comment or behaviour, by confronting each other only on the basis of the ideas and programmes that support them… I am sure that the Republic will be able to count on the patriotism, professionalism and sense of responsibility of the men and women who make up our valiant administration », he affirmed.

The former Petroleum Minister expressed his willingness to work with all stakeholders to meet the challenges facing the Ministry of the Interior, in a spirit of responsibility and dedication to the Senegalese nation. « Senegal, which has given us everything, can count on us », he said, calling for unity and cooperation to meet the challenges ahead. « I know that you are also fully aware that we are at a turning point in the political life of our country, with the presidential election scheduled for 24 March », he said, stressing that the necessary electoral material had already been distributed, although certain adjustments were still required, particularly at international level. Makhtar Cissé, taking over from Mr Sidiki Kaba, who has been appointed Prime Minister, also expressed his confidence that the elections would be held in good conditions, recalling the country’s solid experience in organising elections.

He reinforced this confidence by highlighting the efficiency and dedication of the administration in charge of elections in Senegal, as guarantors of democratic continuity. « The Directorate General of Elections (DGE) and the File Automation Directorate (Daf), the territorial administration and all the departments involved in the elections, are already well versed in the material organisation of elections, to the point where many countries, including the most advanced in democracy, envy us », he reassured.

By Ousmane SOW