Senegal’s Minister of Land Transport and Air Infrastructure, Yankoba Diémé, hosted a key meeting with the Steering Committee of the Regional Civil Aviation Safety and Supervision Unit (URSAC) on 19 February 2025 in Dakar. The meeting brought together civil aviation leaders from the eight UEMOA Member Countries, along with Mauritania as an Associate Country, to focus on boosting safety and security standards in the aviation sector.
Minister Diémé praised the gathering as a special occasion, highlighting the dedication of the industry leaders present to improving aviation safety. He underlined the need for strong collaboration between the community oversight body and national civil aviation authorities to meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
Several steps to strengthen safety measures were discussed, including:
- Promoting better cooperation among African Regional Safety Oversight Organisations (RSOOs) while keeping strategic decisions under state control.
- Establishing a regional legal framework for recognising inspectors, considering each nation’s specific needs and safety priorities.
- Pushing to raise compliance standards, particularly in accident investigations, with tailored regional action plans.
- Building national expertise through targeted training and technical support while maintaining the independence of national civil aviation authorities.
Minister Diémé expressed confidence that, through collaboration and skill development, member states could achieve high aviation safety standards, contributing to safer skies and supporting economic growth across the region.
