On 6 September 2025, the Senegalese government led by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko announced a ministerial reshuffle which introduced several new political figures while retaining most of the current portfolios. Among the most prominent appointments, Cheikh Niang was appointed Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Affairs of Senegal, succeeding Yassine Fall. This decision, announced in the evening, is part of a consolidation of the executive power and reflects a desire to accelerate reforms in the field of pan-African diplomacy and regional integration. This reshuffle, which sees the entry of six new personalities, aims to inject new blood into a government team already focused on the rupture with previous practices and the promotion of national sovereignty. The President of the Republic of Senegal, Cheikh Niang, a veteran career diplomat, brings to this post a recognized international expertise, particularly relevant in a Senegal that seeks to strengthen its position within the African Union and the United Nations. Cheikh Niang, born in Senegal, is a career diplomat who joined the Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1993 after an initial career as an English teacher at the École Nationale d’Administration (ENA) in Dakar. He holds a diploma in diplomacy from the ENA Dakar, a master’s degree and a master’s degree in English from the University of Dakar, is bilingual in French and English, a valuable asset for international negotiations. His career is marked by prestigious posts.
The appointment of Cheikh Niang in the new government of Senegal: an experienced diplomat in foreign affairs
