Major administrative shifts in Senegal’s prime ministry after sonko’s exit

The transition at Senegal’s Primature following Ousmane Sonko’s departure has ushered in a series of sweeping reforms reshaping how state services operate under the new administration led by Prime Minister Al Aminou Lô.

Restructuring state services under new leadership

Since Ousmane Sonko stepped down as Prime Minister on May 22, 2026, the government’s structure has undergone significant adjustments. The changes, formalized through Decree No. 2025-1431, redistribute responsibilities among the Presidency, the Primature, and various ministries, redefining the operational framework of the Prime Ministry.

Key reforms during Sonko’s tenure

Al Aminou Lô’s predecessor laid the groundwork for these changes earlier. In November 2025, Decree No. 2025-1929 expanded the Prime Minister’s office by establishing several new entities:

• Reform Monitoring and Evaluation Unit – tasked with tracking policy implementation
• Government Services Inspectorate – responsible for auditing public sector performance
• Asset Valorization and Recycling Committee – created to manage state-owned resources efficiently
• Procurement Commission – overseeing government contracts and purchases
• Government Secretariat expansion – including a dedicated team for preparing Council of Ministers meetings and a National Information Access Commission

New structural adjustments under Al Aminou Lô

The current administration has further refined this framework. The National Local Content Monitoring Committee—previously under the Ministry of Petroleum and Mines—has been integrated into the Prime Minister’s office. Meanwhile, several functions have been transferred away from the Government Secretariat to align with broader government priorities. Key shifts include:

• The National Civil Service and Volunteering Directorate now falls under the Ministry of Youth and Sports
• The Government Information and Communication Bureau—formerly led by journalist Mame Gor Ngom—has been placed under the Ministry of Communication and Institutional Relations
• The National Observatory of Detention Facilities has been brought under the Ministry of Justice

Streamlined government communication

A notable change is the dissolution of the State Secretary position for Institutional Relations and Government Spokesperson within the Primature. Instead, these duties have been consolidated under a full ministerial role in the Ministry of Communication and Institutional Relations, which now serves as the official government spokesperson. This move reflects a broader strategy to enhance coordination between the Primature and line ministries while adapting the executive’s structure to current priorities.