Senegal's Sall will look to bolster his standing

Significance

The changes follow recent public criticism over Sall’s poor response to flooding that caused significant damage in many areas, including the capital Dakar, coupled with anger over restrictive measures to combat COVID-19. Public attention has temporarily shifted to the inclusion in government of several opposition figures, most notably 2019 presidential runner-up Idrissa Seck.

Impacts

• The successful third-term bids of his Guinean and Ivorian counterparts could bolster Sall’s purported aim to follow suit.
• Sall will try to use new social relief measures and social programmes to stem rising public anger.
• Oil and gas production will significantly boost public revenues, but not until at least 2023 after a recent postponement.