Ministre de l’Intégration africaine, des Affaires étrangères : Cheikh Niang, le nouveau visage de la diplomatie sénégalaise
With more than three decades of experience in diplomacy, Cheikh Niang, 68, has inherited the Ministry of African Integration, Foreign Affairs, and Senegalese Abroad. The Thiès native, who has served as Senegal's permanent representative to the UN, will attempt to bring Senegalese diplomacy back to the forefront.
A son of the railway city to put Senegalese diplomacy back on track. Cheikh Niang, a native of Thiès, a seasoned diplomat and respected voice in international relations circles, has become Senegal's foreign minister. After 17 months of "procrastination," controversy, and internal tensions surrounding the new doctrine imposed by Yassine Fall, the new authorities are attempting to restore Senegalese diplomacy to its former glory.
For this purpose, the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, chose Mr. Niang. A man of the inner circle, he has established himself as one of the most experienced figures in Senegalese diplomacy. Born on July 10, 1957, Niang has built a career spanning more than three decades at the heart of the greatest capitals and international bodies, embodying both excellence and a sense of public service.
A graduate of the National School of Administration and Magistracy in Dakar, he completed his studies with a DEA in English studies at the Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar and then a master's degree in international relations and strategic studies at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom. A polyglot, fluent in French and English, he also holds a diploma in interpreting from the University of Westminster.
His diplomatic career began in Senegal, where he headed the Africa Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before becoming Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the Republic (1995-2001). He quickly distinguished himself on the international scene: Minister-Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Senegal to the UN and then Consul General in New York.
Between 2010 and 2018, Cheikh Niang held three ambassadorial posts in strategic countries: South Africa, the United States with responsibility for several Latin American countries, and then Japan (also accredited to six other countries in Asia and Oceania). These missions reinforced his image as a trusted man, capable of defending Senegal's interests in varied geopolitical contexts.
However, it was at the UN that Cheikh Niang made his mark on global diplomacy. As Senegal's Permanent Representative in New York from 2018 to 2025, he chaired key committees of the General Assembly and distinguished himself on sensitive issues, such as the defense of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, the reform of the Economic and Social Council, and the regulation of small arms. His election as chairman of the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) in 2019 confirmed his expertise and authority.
Beyond his duties, Niang has also established himself as a clear-eyed analyst of international developments. In early 2025, he highlighted the challenges of Donald Trump's return to the White House and called on Africa to strengthen its economic sovereignty, a discourse in line with Senegal's current priorities.
Appointed Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs on September 6, 2025, replacing Yassine Fall, Cheikh Niang brings to the government a detailed knowledge of diplomatic processes and international legitimacy acquired over an exceptional career. At 68, this career diplomat puts his experience to work toward one ambition: to raise the voice of Senegal and Africa on the world stage.
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