Diomaye Faye sworn in as youngest Senegal president, vows to stop corruption

Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Tuesday became Senegal's youngest president, pledging systemic change after years of deadly turmoil and announcing his mentor, opposition figure Ousmane Sonko, as prime minister.

DAKAR – Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a left-wing pan-Africanist, became Senegal’s youngest president on Tuesday, promising structural change after years of violent conflict and choosing his mentor, opposition figure Ousmane Sonko, as prime minister.

Faye, 44, has never previously held an elected position. He won the first round with a pledge of dramatic reform, barely 10 days after being freed from prison.

He took the presidential oath in front of hundreds of officials, including several African heads of state, at an exposition centre in the new town of Diamniadio, near Dakar.

“Before God and the Senegalese nation, I swear to faithfully fulfil the office of President of the Republic of Senegal,” Faye said as he took the oath.

Bassirou Diomaye Faye walks through the red carpet after giving his address as Senegal's President at an exhibition centre in the new town of Diamniadio near the capital Dakar on 2 April 2024.
FILE PHOTO: Bassirou Diomaye Faye walks through the red carpet after giving his address as Senegal’s President at an exhibition centre in the new town of Diamniadio near the capital Dakar on 2 April 2024.

Before leaving the palace, his predecessor, Macky Sall, symbolically handed Diomaye Faye the presidential headquarters key.

“I am aware that the results of the ballot box express a profound desire for systemic change,” Faye said in a brief speech after taking the presidential oath.

“Under my leadership, Senegal will be a country of hope, a peaceful country with an independent judiciary and a strengthened democracy,” he added.

Before leaving the palace, his predecessor, Macky Sall, symbolically handed Faye the presidential headquarters key.

The former tax inspector is Senegal’s fifth president since its independence from France in 1960, and the first to publicly admit to polygamous marriage.

  • Editor/ additional report via AFP
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