President Bassirou Diomaye Faye giving his speech after taking the oath of office.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been sworn-in as the youngest president of Senegal after securing victory in the first round of the presidential election.
Just a few hours after his official inauguration ceremony, Faye made a significant decision by appointing his political mentor and popular leader, Ousmane Sonko, to the post of Prime Minister.
Diomaye, a pan-Africanist, swept to victory on a pledge of radical reforms 10 days after he was released from prison.
Several African leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony, which was held at the Abdou Diouf International Center in Diamniadio, a new city development 30 km from Dakar. The presence of high-ranking African government personalities illustrates the importance that Senegal enjoys on the regional political scene.
The distinguished guests included Presidents of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, Barrow of the Gambia, Umaru Cissokho Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, José Maria Neves of Cape Verde and Mamadi Doumbouya of Guinea.
Faye, a former tax inspector who has never held elective office, becomes Senegal’s fifth president since independence from France in 1960.
In his inaugural speech, he 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 challenges ahead for him include creating enough jobs in a nation where 75 percent of the 18-million population is aged under 35 and the unemployment rate is officially 20 percent.
As part of the effort to reactivate the economy, Faye has declared that his priorities would include national reconciliation, easing a cost-of-living crisis and fighting corruption.
the inauguration.
His appointment of Sonko as Prime Minister is also considered illustrative of the desire to quickly set up his government and start working on national priorities.
Many believe that the collaboration between him and Sonko will be crucial in meeting the expectations of the population and to meet the challenges facing the country.
Faye and Sonko have been long-time friends and political allies who share a common vision for Senegal.
The new Prime Minister’s dynamism and outspokenness may be stumbling blocks in the difficult task of confronting the many challenges facing Senegal as he would have to go against the grain in implementing tough reforms.
As much as Sonko’s appointment indicates a promise to implement the PASTEF programme, it also raises questions about the possibility of a congenial relationship between a novice president and a charismatic and ambitious Prime Minister.
Their relationship will not be without clashes, especially in a government with dual leadership like that of Senegal.
Faye’s government may face challenges in his anti-establishment goals, especially his push for an end to Senegal’s use of the CFA Franc, and the restoration of national sovereignty over key assets such as the oil, gas and fishing sectors.
One major obstacle is his coalition’s lack of a majority in the National Assembly, which means he would have to build alliances to pass new laws, or call a legislative election, which will become an option from mid-November.
In his first official speech, President Faye unveiled the broad outlines of his program for Senegal. The Senegalese people are eager to see what the future holds for their country under the leadership of their new president.
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.