Bassirou Diomaye Faye Sworn in as Senegal’s Youngest President Ever

This post has been updated with the latest developments as at 5 p.m. GMT on April 4, 2024.

Senegal has sworn in its youngest-ever president. The 44-year-old Bassirou Diomaye Faye took the oath of office in Diamniadio, near the capital city Dakar. It caps off a nearly three-week period where he went from being in detention to emerging as one of the favorites and then becoming the winner of an election with 19 candidates, as he pulled well over 53 percent of the votes in the first round.

The swearing-in also officially kicks off a close watch on how President Faye will begin to implement the several social and political reforms he based his campaign on. “Before God and the Senegalese nation, I swear to faithfully fulfill the office of president of the Republic of Senegal,” he said in the speech after taking his oath.

Following his swearing in, Faye appointed Ousmane Sonko as Prime Minister. Faye and Sonko, a fierce opposition leader, were both released from prison 10 days before the country went to the polls and the former was backed by the latter who was ineligible to contest due to a court conviction. Faye also played a key role in Sonko's 2019 presidential ambition where the latter polled 16 percent of the votes to come third.

“There will be no question of leaving him (Faye) alone to assume this heavy responsibility”, Sonko was quoted as saying after this appointment, adding that he will send a list of potential ministers to Faye for approval.

Faye is entering office while riding on a wave of optimism, after many citizens, especially the youth, became disillusioned with the outgoing president Macky Sall. Co-signed by popular opposition leader and close friend, Sonko, the new president comes into power with a lot to prove. His name only fully registered with many voters a few weeks ago, who hope that electing a president with a clean slate pays huge dividends.

“Senegal, under my leadership, will be a peaceful and prosperous nation in a united Africa. With an independent justice system and a strengthened democracy,” Faye promised at his swearing-in ceremony at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Centre (CICAD).

Shortly after, Faye went to the presidential palace in Dakar for the formal handover. “In your capacity and rank, Mr. President of the Republic, I have the honor of giving you the key to the presidential palace of the Republic of Senegal,” Sall said, in the presence of top government officials. This is the third peaceful handover between incumbent and opposition in Senegal since 2000, reestablishing the West African country as a beacon of excellence in the region, after a brief period of turbulence that hopefully ushers in a period of much-needed progress.