The National Movement of Patriotic Executives (MONCAP) Health and Social Protection, affiliated with the ruling PASTEF party, issued a statement on April 15, 2026, in Dakar, denouncing the dismissal of Professor Ousmane Cissé from his position as Director General of Health. The decision, attributed to the Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Dr. Ibrahima Sy, has been labeled “unjustified” by the party’s militant wing.
A Pillar of the Party Removed from His Post
Professor Cissé is not an ordinary PASTEF member; he coordinated the design of the party’s health program within its commission, playing a central role in defining the health doctrine during the years of opposition. His forced departure is seen as a symbolic break by MONCAP activists, who believe it represents the progressive marginalization of figures who contributed to the party’s political trajectory before its accession to power in 2024.
The statement also points to the appointment of individuals from the former ruling party to strategic positions within the ministry—specifically, at the head of the communication cell and in certain hospital departments—as well as a ministerial decree signed on April 3, 2026, the content of which is not specified in the published document.
A Tension That Extends Beyond the Ministry of Health
The dismissal of Professor Cissé comes amid a progressive reshaping of the power structure between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. For several months, adjustments in key appointments have reflected a desire to structure distinct networks of loyalty within the executive branch.
MONCAP Health also denounces the abandonment of the health program it developed, believing that the persistent difficulties in accessing care for the population are a direct consequence.
The movement has announced a forthcoming press conference where it intends to detail the accusations against Minister Ibrahima Sy and present its approach to the situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted MONCAP’s statement?
MONCAP issued a statement denouncing the dismissal of Professor Ousmane Cissé from his position as Director General of Health, attributing the decision to Minister Ibrahima Sy and calling it “unjustified.”
What role did Professor Cissé play within PASTEF?
Professor Cissé coordinated the design of the PASTEF party’s health program and played a central role in defining its health doctrine during the years of opposition.
What other concerns did MONCAP raise in its statement?
MONCAP also pointed to the appointment of individuals from the former ruling party to strategic positions within the Ministry of Health and the abandonment of the health program it had developed.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the upcoming press conference will reveal further details and what impact this internal tension may have on the future direction of health policy in Senegal.
