Council of Ministers meeting not held for second consecutive week
For the second consecutive week, the Council of Ministers meeting did not take place on Wednesday, August 12, at the Palace of the Republic. No official reason has been provided for the absence. The Presidency had previously announced a new bi-weekly schedule for the Council of Ministers, making its occurrence on August 12 expected. There has been no official communication regarding a possible absence of the head of state from the national territory. The last Council of Ministers meeting was held on July 29, before the Grand Magal of Touba. This is not an isolated incident under the presidency of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, as the Council of Ministers, initially weekly, has experienced several postponements or cancellations. For example, on December 31, 2025, the meeting was not held as the President prepared his message to the Nation. On July 15, 2026, the Council was postponed by 24 hours due to an impromptu trip by the head of state to Doha for the funeral of former Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani. These precedents occur within a context of a tightened governmental calendar, with the Presidency having explained months ago that the Council of Ministers would meet "only every other week" to streamline the meetings. However, this reform has not prevented unexplained absences, such as the one this Wednesday.
