PROLIFIC NEWS
Senegal marked a historic moment on Tuesday as Bassirou Diomaye Faye, aged 44, was inaugurated as its youngest-ever president. Faye’s ascension to power comes just days after his release from jail, where he had been held as a political prisoner.
A former tax inspector, Faye vowed to combat corruption and address unemployment among the country’s youth during his swearing-in ceremony, which was attended by his two wives. He emphasized the need for change, stating, “Senegal will be a country of hope, at peace, with an independent justice system, and a stronger democracy.”
Faye’s release from prison less than two weeks before the 24th March election followed a political amnesty announced by outgoing president Macky Sall. This marks Faye’s first time holding any elected office.
The smooth transition of power serves as a welcome development after three years of turmoil in Senegal, which had raised concerns about democratic backsliding. Faye’s inauguration signals hope for stability and progress in the region, particularly in light of recent political upheavals and the emergence of coups in other parts of West Africa.
