Bassirou Diomaye Faye was sworn in as the fifth and youngest-ever president of Senegal on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

44-year-old Faye, Senegal’s once-jailed opposition candidate, promised to restore stability and bring economic progress to the West African country.

The former tax inspector defeated Amadou Ba, the candidate of outgoing President Macky Sall’s ruling coalition, by a landslide in the first round of voting, reflecting high hopes for change in the country of around 18 million.

“The results of the election showed a profound desire for change,” Faye said after taking the oath of office at a ceremony he attended with his two wives.

Over a dozen heads of state and regional representatives attended the inauguration, including Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo, and African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat.

44-year-old Bassirou Diomaye Faye: From prison to Senegal’s presidency

The military juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger also sent representatives.

The smooth transition was a welcome boost after three years of unprecedented political turmoil in Senegal that had raised concern about democratic backsliding in the coup-prone region of West Africa, where juntas have seized power and cut ties with traditional Western allies in favour of Russia.

“Senegal will be a country of hope, at peace, with an independent justice system and a stronger democracy,” Faye said, promising to manage affairs ethically and to build the economy.

Millions queued for hours to cast their ballot in an election that eventually took place on March 24 after unsuccessful attempts by Sall’s government to postpone it from February to December, then June.

“I will work towards preserving peace and national cohesion and make sure we preserve our most cherished resource, our national stability,” Reuters quoted Faye as saying.

The new president also vowed to tackle corruption and introduce a series of economic reforms to prioritise national interests, including the re-negotiation of oil, gas and mineral contracts with foreign operators.

The Star