President Diomaye Faye cancels no fewer than 13 decrees from Macky Sall, published 4 days before his departure

Just four days before the end of his mandate, the outgoing president, Macky Sall, has made significant appointments within the Senegalese judiciary. These decisions, taken shortly before the transfer of power to President-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye, raised questions about their timing and their potential impact on the new administration.

On March 29, 2024, while he still held the presidency, Macky Sall signed several decrees appointing magistrates to key positions. This action was seen by some as inappropriate for a president at the end of his term, because it could complicate the task of his successor. Traditionally, outgoing presidents are expected to limit themselves to managing day-to-day affairs during the final days of their mandate, thus avoiding making major decisions.

However, these decrees only lasted a short time. The new president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, revoked these appointments on April 3, 2024, just one day after taking office. This rapid dismissal seems to indicate a desire by the new administration to regain control and realign key positions in the judiciary according to its own orientations and policies.

List of canceled decrees:

1. Decree No. 2024-928 – Cancellation of the appointment of a magistrate to the Central Administration of Justice.
2. Decree No. 2024-926 – Cancellation of the appointment of the Secretary General of the Supreme Court.
3. Decree No. 2024-925 – Cancellation of the appointment of a President of Chamber to the Supreme Court.
4. Decree No. 2024-930 – Cancellation of the appointment of the President of the Financial Indictment Chamber.
5. Decree No. 2024-933 – Cancellation of the appointment of an Advocate General delegated to the Supreme Court.
6. Decree No. 2024-934 – Cancellation of the appointment of the Public Prosecutor to the Pikine Guédiawaye High Court.
7. Decree No. 2024-924 – Cancellation of the appointment of the First President of the Supreme Court.
8. Decree No. 2024-932 – Cancellation of the appointment of the President of the College of Investigating Judges of the Financial Judicial Pool.
9. Decree No. 2024-936 – Cancellation of the appointment of a President of Chamber to the Court of Appeal of Saint-Louis.
10. Decree No. 2024-938 – Cancellation of the appointment of the President of the Diourbel High Court.
11. Decree No. 2024-929 – Cancellation of the appointment of a President of Chamber to the Dakar Court of Appeal.
12. Decree No. 2024-935 – Cancellation of the appointment of a Judge to the Tribunal de Grande Instance Hors Classe of Dakar.
13. Decree No. 2024-937 – Cancellation of the appointment of a Vice-President of the Louga High Court.