Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a 44-year-old left-wing pan-Africanist, has been inaugurated as Senegal’s youngest president, ushering in a wave of anticipation for radical reform in the West African nation.
The swearing-in ceremony took place amidst the presence of several African leaders in the new town of Diamniadio, near the capital Dakar.
In his oath-taking ceremony, President Faye pledged his allegiance before God and the Senegalese nation, promising to uphold the Constitution, defend national integrity, and strive for African unity. The formal transition of power from outgoing President Macky Sall will occur at the presidential palace in Dakar.
Faye’s ascendancy to the presidency follows a swift rise to prominence after his release from prison just 10 days before the presidential election. He was among a group of political detainees granted amnesty by President Sall, who initially sought to delay the polls.
Faye’s campaign gained momentum while he was still in detention, advocating for national reconciliation, addressing the cost-of-living crisis, and combating corruption.
A former tax inspector, Faye assumes office as Senegal’s fifth president since independence from France in 1960, and notably, he openly acknowledges his polygamous marriage. Collaborating with his mentor Ousmane Sonko, Faye has outlined key priorities, including regaining national control over vital sectors such as oil, gas, and fishing, as well as pushing for agricultural self-sufficiency and currency independence from the CFA franc.
Despite his populist stance, Faye has assured investors of Senegal’s commitment to maintaining friendly and reliable partnerships.
Internationally, he aims to reintegrate military-led Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc.
Faye’s victory, with 54.3 percent of the vote, signifies a remarkable political turnaround after his party, Pastef, was dissolved by the government in 2014, and the election postponed. Known as “Diomaye,” or “the honourable one” in the local Serer language, Faye embodies a new generation of youthful politicians inspired by figures like Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela.
However, Faye’s presidency faces significant challenges, including the absence of a parliamentary majority and the imperative to address unemployment, particularly among the country’s youth. With 75 percent of the population under 35 and a 20 percent official unemployment rate, job creation emerges as a pressing national priority.
As Senegal embarks on a new era under President Faye’s leadership, expectations run high for transformative change, both domestically and internationally.