« Project!It’s a term we’ll have to remember.For over the next 5 years, it will replace the Pse, at least in the minds of the authorities.Indeed, President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye is going to change the frame of reference for public policies.

Will the Emerging Senegal Plan (Pse) continue to be the benchmark for public policy after the change of regime? On reading the first communiqué from Sonko’s government, the question no longer arises. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye has « asked the government to speed up the intensive and coherent implementation of the ‘Project’ by working with precision, diligence, method and efficiency to the satisfaction of the people and in the best interests of Senegal ». He therefore insisted on the need to « define and implement a policy inspired by the ‘Project for the Systemic Transformation of Senegal' ». The word is out.

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For the next 5 years, the Pse will be replaced by the Senegal Systemic Transformation Project, at least in the words of the new public authorities. This project will focus on youth, education, training, entrepreneurship and employment for young people and women; combating the high cost of living and increasing household purchasing power; modernising the justice system, protecting human rights, good governance, transparency and accountability, and improving our democratic and electoral system; Senegal’s economic sovereignty and prosperity, the optimal exploitation of natural resources and the sustainable endogenous development of the territories; the consolidation of national unity and solidarity to strengthen the country’s security, peace and stability.

President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye instructed his Prime Minister to finalise, before the end of April 2024, the government’s Action Plan, with a precise timetable for achieving the objectives set. Along the same lines, a « general review of programmes and projects, human capital (recruitment and human resources audits) and budgetary resources in each ministry » is planned. Ousmane Sonko will have to « review the general situation of public finances (in accordance with the Code of Transparency in the Management of Public Finances), international cooperation (the status of all financing agreements signed) and Public-Private Partnerships ».

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The President of the Republic has ordered him « to embark, without delay, with the private sector (national in particular), on the implementation of a bold policy to revive the national economy; to change the frame of reference for economic and social policy by enshrining the « Project »; to prepare the government’s legislative and regulatory programme on the basis of the texts and adoption schedule proposed by each ministry ». A government seminar is planned to provide an overall framework for state action, as well as the development of an innovative government communication strategy, based on anticipation and precise messages, but above all on the ownership of public policies by the people, who must remain at the heart of the government’s actions.

What will become of the Multiannual Budgetary and Economic Programming Document (Dpbep) 2023-2025?

Every 3 years, Senegal adopts a multiannual budgetary and economic programming document. The latest Dpbep covers the period 2023-2025. And this is backed up by the Pse. If the Diomaye regime chooses to change the reference framework for public policy, it will have to review the Dpbep, which is set by a law passed by the National Assembly. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye does not have a majority in Parliament, so he will have to find ways of doing this. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye will have to meet the challenge of either dissolving the Assembly in September and calling legislative elections in the wake, and hoping to win a majority, or continuing the Dpbep by calling the public policy reference framework by another name, in order to have a free hand.

By Malick GAYE / mgaye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH