After taking the oath of office on Tuesday, April 2, at the Exhibition Center of the new city of Diamniadio, near Dakar, Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially begins his term as the fifth president of Senegal.
The newly elected president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, took the oath in front of hundreds of Senegalese officials and several African heads of state and leaders. He swore "before God and the Senegalese nation to faithfully fulfill the duties of President of the Republic of Senegal," to defend "the integrity of the territory and national independence, and to spare no effort in achieving African unity." At 44, Faye, never having held elected office before, becomes the youngest president of the West African country since its independence in 1960, less than three weeks after being released from prison.
In a brief speech after his oath, the new Senegalese President stated he is "aware" that his sweeping victory in the first round of the presidential election on March 24 reflects "a deep desire for systemic change."
"Senegal under my leadership will be a country of hope, a peaceful country with an independent judiciary and a strengthened democracy," he declared.
He referenced the three years of unrest leading up to his election, marked by dozens of deaths and hundreds of arrests. He pledged to keep in mind the sacrifices of the "martyrs of democracy, the amputees, the injured, and the former prisoners" to "never let you down."
Faye expressed his understanding of the "uncomplexed elites who vocally express our aspiration for greater sovereignty, development, and well-being" in Africa. He reiterated to foreign partners "Senegal's openness to exchanges that respect our sovereignty, align with the aspirations of our people, in a mutually beneficial partnership."
He highlighted the significant security challenges faced by many African countries, which "require greater solidarity."
Faye succeeds Macky Sall, 62, who led the 18 million inhabitants of the country for 12 years.
The handover of power between the outgoing president and the new president was scheduled for the same Tuesday afternoon at the presidential palace in Dakar.
