Senegal: Major changes expected at the High Council of the Judiciary

Senegal: Major changes expected at the High Council of the Judiciary
Senegal: Major changes expected at the High Council of the Judiciary

Professor Sidy Alpha Ndiaye, Minister-Legal Counselor and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic, unveiled the broad outlines of the proposed reform of the High Council of the Judiciary (CSM), which is set to become the High Council of Justice. A guest on the Point de Vue program, broadcast Sunday, May 18, 2025, on RTS, he presented an institutional overhaul driven by one ambition: to open justice to society.

→ ALSO READ : High Court of Justice: Minister Ndèye Saly Diop summoned this Monday

“The High Council of Justice will be open to outside figures to ensure greater transparency, because justice belongs to all of society, not just legal experts,” said Mr. Ndiaye, referring to a paradigm shift. Inspired by the model of the Constitutional Court, the future body will include members of civil society and the academic world, including academics.

While the head of state, Bassirou Diomaye Faye , will remain a member of the new Council, Sidy Alpha Ndiaye believes that the debate on this issue is often disconnected from legal realities. “This debate has a superficial appearance. The president does not interfere in the privacy of the judge who makes his decisions,” he stressed. He recalled that the role of the President of the Republic, who appoints magistrates by decree, remains unchanged, whether or not he sits on this body.

→ ALSO READ : OFNAC: future members will be chosen through a call for applications

Professor Ndiaye also clarified that the High Council of Justice will not be tasked with defining jurisprudential policy or interfering in judicial decisions. Rather, it will be a forum for dialogue and strategic guidance to strengthen the judicial system. Among the announced innovations is the creation of a plenary session, which will allow for debate on the evolution of the justice system in the presence of members from outside the judiciary. Another notable advancement concerns the strengthening of the representativeness of elected magistrates: their number could double, from 7 to 14, which would contribute to strengthening the inclusiveness and internal legitimacy of the future Council.

→ ALSO READ : Iran says it will continue nuclear talks with the US, shrugging off threats

“This reform aims for transversality, inclusivity, and openness,” insisted Sidy Alpha Ndiaye, emphasizing that it is in line with President Faye’s vision for an independent, democratic justice system that truly serves the citizens. With this announced reform of the High Council of Justice, the new Senegalese authorities intend to translate their political commitments into concrete actions, in a context where expectations for fairness, transparency, and judicial accountability are higher than ever.



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *