Ousmane Tanor Dieng 1947-2019

On Monday, 15 July 2019, our dear comrade Ousmane Tanor Dieng, Leader of the Socialist Party of Senegal and a Vice-President of the Socialist International, sadly passed away following an illness. The Socialist International deeply mourns his loss and pays homage to his lifelong dedication to his country, his people, his party, and to his active commitment to the Socialist International where he served as a Vice-President from 1996 until his death, and as chair of the SI Africa Committee from 1996 to 2013.

Tanor Dieng was born in Ngueniéne, to the Sérére people of Senegal. He studied law and international relations, and received his bachelor’s degree. He later studied diplomacy at the École Nationale d’Administration et de Magistrature (ENAM) and joined the Senegalese Foreign Office in 1976 as an advisor in charge of international affairs.

In 1978, the President of the Republic of Senegal Léopold Senghor appointed Tanor Dieng as his Diplomatic Advisor, and he continued this role when Abdou Diouf became president in 1981. He later worked as Chief of Staff, and in 1993 was appointed Minister of Services and Presidential Affairs. Committed to the Socialist Party of Senegal, Tanor Dieng was a member of its Political Bureau, and in 1996 became the party’s First Secretary. He was the PS presidential candidate in 2007 and 2012.

Ousmane Tanor Dieng was elected as one of the Vice-Presidents of the Socialist International by the XX SI Congress held at the United Nations in New York in September 1996. After that Congress, Tanor Dieng was elected President of the Africa Committee, a post he held until 2013. He equally was an active member of the SI Ethics Committee.

Within the Socialist International he was a constant and dedicated participant in the various activities of the International, from the global Council meetings held in different continents, to regional meetings, in particular in Africa, where his knowledge and commitment to the principles and values shared within our global family, were widely appreciated by all.

Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family, friends and comrades.