Senegal has embarked on an ambitious national dialogue this week to comprehensively reform the country’s justice system and address longstanding issues around judicial processes, prison conditions, and public trust in legal institutions.
The week-long dialogue, which opened Monday in Diamniadio, brings together a diverse array of stakeholders in an inclusive process that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye hopes will lead to a more effective, transparent and dignified justice system for all Senegalese.
“The purpose of this exercise is to help us pave the way for a pragmatic reform of our judicial system, so that it inspires greater confidence in litigants and preserves their dignity,” he said.
Among the hundreds of participants are magistrates, civil society organizations, legal experts and a notable contingent of former prisoners – all convened to diagnose the system’s shortcomings and propose concrete changes.
Key areas up for potential reform include the role and working conditions of judges, the use of digital technology in courts, reducing backlogs by expediting judicial proceedings, and revising the framework around criminal sanctions. Special focus will be given to the handling of children’s cases and improving harsh prison conditions along with reintegration programs.
The dialogue will also look at establishing clear, merit-based career paths for magistrates and reducing excessive pre-trial detentions. Addressing inefficiencies in civil litigation is another priority alongside the criminal justice system.
In a unique approach, the government has launched an online platform called “+Jubbanti+” (meaning “rectify”) to solicit recommendations directly from the public on improving the judicial process.
The dialogue continues through the week, aiming to produce a roadmap and timeline for implementing substantial judicial reforms based on the public consultations.
