The Senegalese president announced on Friday the examination of a bill on defense and national security after the early legislative elections of November 17.
The Head of State of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, chaired Armed Forces Day, marked by a solemn ceremony and the presentation of new promotions of officers. On this occasion, President Faye announced reforms for the national defense system, in response to new security challenges and his sovereignist vision.
« As soon as the new National Assembly is installed, a bill on national defense and security setting out the main orientations of our defense architecture, adapted to the current context, will be examined,” he declared. The theme of this year’s Armed Forces Day, “Towards the technological and industrial sovereignty of the armed forces “, is part of the country’s new public policy framework, the fourth axis of which aims to build a ” competitive and job-creating economy “, he added.
President Faye recalled that the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the need for increased strategic autonomy for nations like Senegal. On the regional level, the violence of terrorist groups plaguing neighboring countries requires, according to him, a review of the acquisition strategy in terms of defense and security.
« It is already reassuring that the armed forces have considered submitting for validation a 2025-2029 military programming law aimed at establishing a multi-year plan for the expenditure that the State devotes to them. », he greeted, calling for a gradual removal of the defense and security tool from multiple hazards for true independence.
« The creation of a real defense and security industry is today an imperative to complete the level of professionalism and influence that our armed forces have demonstrated for more than 60 years. We therefore need to change paradigm to base our policies on solid and lasting foundations capable of ensuring our autonomy and resilience. », continued Bassirou Diomaye Faye, expressing his desire to take advantage of endogenous skills, in particular Senegalese researchers, engineers, inventors and artisans.
To achieve this objective, he instructed the Prime Minister and the government to mobilize all national, public and private actors, as well as international partners, in a pragmatic approach. “ The Ministry of Armed Forces and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce yesterday (Thursday) signed an important memorandum of understanding with a partner company for the implementation of a project to install and operate a factory assembly of military vehicles in Senegal », specified President Faye, adding that Senegal, while continuing its quest for sovereignty, remains open to external collaborations.
ODL/ac/APA
