From May 5 to 12, 2025, the Senegalese capital is hosting the 5th General Assembly of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA), a major event for Christian communities across the region. At the opening ceremony, President of the Republic Bassirou Diomaye Faye delivered a powerful speech reaffirming the central role of religion in the political and social vision he intends to pursue for Senegal.
The Head of State welcomed the holding of this gathering in Dakar, describing it as a strong signal of the importance he attaches to religious affairs within his national transformation strategy. For him, religion cannot be confined to the private sphere; it is, on the contrary, a cornerstone of public policy. “Religion shapes our values, guides our behavior, influences our actions, and molds our human relationships. It is not outside public policy—it is an essential pillar of it,” President Faye declared before an audience of Catholic and Muslim religious leaders.
In a significant announcement, President Faye revealed the transformation of the Directorate of Religious Affairs into a General Delegation for Religious Affairs. This new institution will support all faiths—Islam, Christianity, and traditional religions—in the exercise of their worship, the development of their infrastructure, and access to religious equipment.
“It is my duty to ensure the effective presence of the State alongside religious communities, so that every citizen, regardless of their faith, feels supported in the fulfillment of their spirituality,” he stated, reaffirming his commitment to a State that respects the beliefs and spiritual traditions of its people.
The President concluded by recalling that his “Senegal 2050” agenda is rooted in the deep values of Africa, nourished by faith, dialogue, and peace—principles that will guide his efforts toward national unity and social inclusion in a rapidly evolving Senegal.
