Commonly known as Diomaye, or ‘the honorable one’ in the local Serer language, has won the election with 54 percent of the vote.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye speaks after being sworn in as Senegal’s president at a ceremony in Diamniadio, near Dakar. [John Wessels/AFP]
Senegal has witnessed the inauguration of Bassirou Diomaye Faye as its president, marking a swift and remarkable journey for the once relatively unknown opposition figure from imprisonment to the pinnacle of power within weeks.
Ascending to office at the age of 44, Faye, a left-wing pan-Africanist, clinched a decisive victory in the March 24 elections, pledging comprehensive reform. In a solemn ceremony held near Dakar, he took the oath of office, solemnly swearing to uphold the constitution, and laws, safeguard the nation’s integrity and independence, and pursue the cause of African unity.
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The transfer of power from outgoing President Macky Sall will formally occur at the presidential palace in Dakar.
Faye’s release from prison, just days before the elections, along with that of prominent opposition figure and mentor Ousmane Sonko, followed a political amnesty declared by Sall. The culmination of Faye’s ascent signifies a triumph for democracy and the rule of law, according to supporters like Aissata Sagna, who hailed the occasion as a moment of celebration despite the sacrifices made during the tumultuous period of demonstrations.
The electoral process tested Senegal’s standing as a stable democracy in West Africa amid a backdrop of regional instability characterized by coups and attempted coups. The unrest, sparked by the arrests of Sonko and Faye last year, underscored concerns over presidential term limits and allegations of entrenched corruption. Rights groups reported casualties and mass incarcerations during the protests.
Faye’s electoral platform centered on combating corruption and implementing sound management of Senegal’s natural resources, resonating particularly with the youth grappling with high unemployment rates and critical voices questioning France’s influence, seen by some as self-serving.
In his inaugural address, Faye, also known as Diomaye, emphasized his commitment to rooting out corruption and revitalizing the economy. Hailing from a modest background and practicing Islam, Faye, who has two wives, emphasized transparency by publicly disclosing his assets before the election.
His declared assets included a residence in Dakar and land holdings both within and outside the capital and his hometown, along with modest bank accounts totaling approximately $6,600.
Faye was sworn in on April 2, 2024, as Senegal’s youngest president after achieving a first-round election victory on a pledge of reform days after he was released from prison. [John Wessels/AFP].
The former tax inspector becomes the West African state’s fifth president since independence from France in 1960. [John Wessels/AFP]
Newly sworn-in President Faye stands with his two wives, Marie, right, and Absa, during his inauguration ceremony. [Jerome Favre/EPA]
The anti-establishment leader has promised to restore national sovereignty over key assets in sectors such as oil, gas, and fishing. [Zohra Bensemra/Reuters]
Faye wants to leave the regional CFA franc, which he sees as a French colonial legacy, and invest more in agriculture with the aim of reaching food self-sufficiency. [John Wessels/AFP]
Faye is congratulated by judges from the Constitutional Council. [Jerome Favre/EPA]
Faye met outgoing President Macky Sall at the presidential palace in Dakar on March 28, 2024. [Abdou Karim Ndoye/Reuters]
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