From Prison to Presidency: Bassirou Faye Swears Oath as Senegal’s President

Following his win on polling on Sunday and the Constitutional Council ultimately validating and declaring the results, left-wing pan-Africanist, Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been sworn in as the youngest Senegalese president on Tuesday. 

From prison to presidency, Faye who has never held an elected office before won the first-round victory on a pledge of radical reform 10 days after he was released. The presidential election took place on Sunday, March 24, and had its provisional official results released.

The inauguration ceremony held in the new town of Diamniadio, near the country’s capital Dakar was attended by several African leaders and dignitaries.

In his oath swearing before the gathered officials, Faye said “Before God and the Senegalese nation, I swear to faithfully fulfill the office of President of the Republic of Senegal”. 

Faye further vowed to “scrupulously observe the provisions of the Constitution and the laws and to defend “the integrity of the territory and national independence, and to spare no effort to achieve African unity”.

The presidential palace in Dakar will host the official transfer of power with departing President Macky Sall.

Ten days before the presidential election on March 24, Sall, who had attempted to postpone the vote, announced an amnesty that included Faye and other political opponents. Faye’s campaign got underway while he was still being held in custody.

Working with his populist mentor Ousmane Sonko, who was disqualified from running for office, Faye stated in his victory address that eliminating corruption, alleviating the burden of living expenses, and promoting national unity were their top concerns.

The anti-establishment leader movement has pledged to reclaim national sovereignty over vital resources including the fisheries, oil, and gas industries. To achieve food self-sufficiency, Faye wants to abandon the local CFA franc, which he views as a remnant of French colonialism, and increase agricultural investment.

Faye also attempted to reassure investors that Senegal “will remain a friendly country and a sure and reliable ally for any partner that engages with us in virtuous, respectful, and mutually productive cooperation”.

The president-elect and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke over the phone on Monday, and according to the State Department, Blinken “underscored the United States’ strong interest in deepening the partnership” between the two nations.

In the international arena, Faye aims to reintegrate Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—all under military rule—into the Economic Community of West African States.

The former tax inspector is the first to publicly acknowledge being in a polygamous marriage and is the fifth president of the West African nation since its independence from France in 1960.

Faye, a devout Muslim from a modest background with two spouses and four kids, reprising a new generation of young politicians.