Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has directed his prime minister to develop an urgent "action plan" aimed at bolstering the nation's struggling economy and financial situation, according to a statement from his office on Tuesday.
The 44-year-old, who won the election last month with a pledge of sweeping reforms, became the country's youngest president despite lacking prior elected experience.
During Faye's first cabinet meeting, he instructed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, his former mentor, to complete the "action plan" by the month's end. The plan should include a comprehensive review of existing programs and plans, as well as an assessment of public finances, international partnerships, and public-private collaborations.
President Faye emphasized the need for immediate implementation of a robust economic revitalization strategy in collaboration with the Senegalese private sector. He stressed his election mandate to bring about fundamental changes and transform the country's economic and social landscape.
Senegal, with a population of 18 million, faces significant challenges, with one in three people living in poverty and an unemployment rate of approximately 20 percent. The country's economy has been impacted by the Covid pandemic and the Ukraine war, exacerbating issues such as high debt, inflation, and reduced investment due to years of social and political unrest.
Prime Minister Sonko, while announcing the cabinet's priorities, highlighted the government's focus on addressing youth unemployment, reducing living costs, and upholding human rights.
