Mining concessions: Head of State cancels two decrees signed by former President Macky Sall

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has made a landmark decision by annulling two decrees signed by his predecessor, Macky Sall, relating to mining concessions granted to the company Ciments du Sahel. These decrees, published in the Official Journal, sparked a lively debate and highlighted the new administration’s desire to restore order to the management of Senegal’s natural resources. Source: Le Grand Panel.

Mining concessions: Head of State cancels two decrees signed by former President Macky Sall

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The two annulled decrees concern the extensions of the concessions for clay and laterite mining in Thicky, as well as for limestone mining in Kirène, both granted for a period of 25 years by Macky Sall, just two days after the presidential election of March 24, 2024.

The annulments were formulated by Decree No. 2025-275 and Decree No. 2025-276, which respectively withdraw the extensions of the Thicky and Kirène concessions. These decisions were taken in a particularly sensitive political context, raising questions about the legitimacy and motivations of the choices of the former president, who was acting in the midst of a post-election transition.

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The main reason for the cancellation lies in violations of current legal standards. Indeed, the extensions granted contradict Regulation No. 02/2023/CM/UEMOA of June 16, 2023, which limits the duration of renewals to 20 years. Furthermore, the renewal decrees were based on Article 29 of the 1988 Mining Code, repealed by more recent laws of 2003 and 2016.

These extensions were therefore deemed legally erroneous and contrary to current laws, hence President Faye’s decision to cancel them. This act, although criticized by some, is seen by many as a strong gesture to restore legality and ensure transparent and responsible management of the country’s mineral resources.

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It is also part of a broader initiative, “JubJubal-Jubanti,” led by President Diomaye Faye. This initiative aims to correct past mismanagement and establish a stricter legal framework for the exploitation of Senegal’s natural resources, with the aim of protecting the country’s future.

By rescinding these decrees, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye reaffirms his commitment to upholding standards and ensuring transparent management of mining concessions.

This act appears to be a clear response to the concerns of citizens and observers about the management of natural resources, particularly in the context of a country where economic and environmental issues are increasingly determining factors for the future.

Thus, the cancellation of the extensions of these concessions combines both the desire to respect the law and the desire to regulate the exploitation of natural resources more rigorously, while preserving the interests of the Senegalese people and avoiding any excesses likely to harm the sustainable development of the country.