Senegalese President-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye is making headlines as Africa’s youngest democratically-elected leader. Hailing from a small town in central Senegal, Faye’s journey to presidency is quite remarkable.
Before entering politics, Faye worked as a tax inspector. He joined the Patriots of Senegal party (Pastef), founded by the outspoken opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, where he served as Sonko’s deputy and Secretary-General of the party.
Faye’s rise was with many challenges
Faye, a practicing Muslim with two wives, declared his modest assets, including a home in Dakar, some land, and around $6,600 in bank accounts. Despite being relatively unknown, Faye gained prominence when Sonko endorsed him as his successor after being barred from running for President due to a prior conviction.
However, Faye’s rise was not without challenges. Shortly after being named Sonko’s heir, he was arrested and jailed on various charges, including defamation, which he claimed were politically motivated. His arrest sparked unrest and violence in Senegal, fueled by dissatisfaction with outgoing President Macky Sall’s attempt to postpone the elections.
Faye’s victory in the presidential race, defeating former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, was attributed to support from Sonko and the Pastef party, as well as widespread frustration among the youth due to high unemployment rates.
During his campaign, Faye pledged to tackle corruption, address the cost-of-living crisis, and rebuild Senegal’s institutions. He also vowed to prioritize national control over natural resources, aiming to renegotiate contracts with foreign companies. Additionally, Faye aims to pursue left-wing pan-Africanism and reform regional organizations like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
One of Faye’s main priorities as president will be national reconciliation, following years of unrest and political crises in Senegal.
