Senegal’s Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation has published a “Blacklist No. 1” identifying 34 private institutions issuing degrees irregularly, effective October 1st, 2026. The list includes the Centre d'Études Diplomatiques et Stratégiques (CEDS) in Ouakam and the Centre Africain d'Intelligence Stratégique (CIS-PAIX UPEACE) based in downtown Dakar. The action follows scrutiny of a PhD thesis defended in 2024 by Cheikh Oumar Diagne, former Director of General Resources at the Presidency. Diagne’s thesis focused on geoeconomics and monetary issues, and was supported by the CEDS, a private institution. He was subsequently dismissed from his position by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in December 2024. The ministry previously stated that doctoral studies are exclusively the domain of accredited doctoral schools and that private institutions are not authorized to offer PhD programs. This blacklist formalizes a long-held position by the ministry regarding the accreditation of doctoral programs in Senegal.