Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the newly elected president, is expected on several important issues, including the appointment of general managers of large strategic companies in Senegal, such as those linked to water, electricity, sanitation and housing . These positions are essential for national sovereignty, a major concern for the President of the Republic. However, these appointments are slow to materialize.
In his electoral program, entitled “The Project”, the president had clearly indicated a break with the practices of the previous regime. He had promised to democratize access to positions in the senior civil service and the parapublic sector by introducing calls for applications and open competitions. As was specified in their program, “We will call for applications for certain positions in the senior civil service and the parapublic sector and will standardize civil and military recruitment through the exclusive use of competitive examinations which guarantee equal opportunities for all citizens.”
This promise of reform explains the delay in appointments, because the implementation of these new processes takes time. Indeed, during the council of ministers which was held on Wednesday April 17, 2024, the president asked the Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, to prepare a draft decree. The press release received by the senego editorial staff yesterday indicates: “he asked the Prime Minister to prepare a draft decree relating to the call for applications for certain high positions in the public and parapublic sectors. »
Some observers, however, worry that this CV-based recruitment method could favor the children of the elites, as journalist Adama Gaye points out. In a post on his Facebook account, he writes: “Oops…Recruitment by tender for key positions could be the mother of injustices. The rich children of thieves will take the prize. Their CVs are better.”
In another publication, journalist Adama Gueye explains that this way of doing things is really not the right way and that Senegal should take inspiration from the United States: “Tendering for positions is not enough. A “hearing” commission, for job interviews, like in the American Senate, would be more reliable, fair, equitable…”
In addition to these fairness concerns, the time required to implement this new recruitment process could also delay government operations, a significant factor for a government seeking to distinguish itself from its predecessors. It remains to be seen how Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko will lead this recruitment process and what methods will be adopted to ensure both fairness and efficiency.
