Diomaye Faye, the newly elected president of Senegal, pledges to lead with humility

Diomaye Faye, the newly elected president of Senegal, pledges to lead with humility

Senegal’s opposition presidential candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a newcomer in the political arena who has garnered significant support from disillusioned youth, pledged on Monday to lead with humility and transparency. Faye, poised to assume the presidency following his main opponent’s concession of defeat, expressed gratitude to President Macky Sall and fellow candidates for upholding Senegal’s democratic principles by acknowledging his victory well before the official results were declared.

Addressing journalists in his inaugural public appearance post-election, Faye remarked, “By electing me, the Senegalese populace has opted for a departure from the past. I commit to governing with humility and transparency.” Initial results indicated Faye secured approximately 53.7% of the votes, while Amadou Ba, representing the incumbent ruling coalition, garnered 36.2%, according to the electoral commission’s data from 90% of the polling stations in the initial round.

Ba and Sall extended their congratulations to Faye, who celebrated his 44th birthday on the same day. They hailed the election outcome as a triumph for Senegal, whose reputation as one of the most stable democracies in West Africa faced scrutiny after Sall postponed the election. Ba remarked, “The Senegalese people have reaffirmed the robustness of our democracy… I wish him (Faye) success in leading our nation.”

A peaceful transfer of power in Senegal would signify a significant advancement for democracy in West Africa, a region that has witnessed eight military coups since 2020. Some of the military regimes that seized control have distanced themselves from traditional regional power brokers like France and the U.S., opting to align with Russia for assistance in combating jihadist insurgency prevalent in neighboring countries.

Reports indicating Faye’s imminent victory led to a surge in Senegal’s international bonds, reversing earlier declines. Many anticipate the election outcome to usher in stability and economic growth after three years of unprecedented political turmoil and several waves of deadly anti-government protests.

An opposition supporter named Tall, joining celebrants in nocturnal street revelries in anticipation of Faye’s win, expressed, “I’m delighted to witness this wind of change. It’s a remarkable victory for democracy. Many doubted it would come to pass.” He provided only his first name.

The Dakar appeals court is expected to announce the full, official results on Friday.

Faye’s ascent to prominence owes significantly to the support of outspoken opposition figure Ousmane Sonko, who, due to a defamation conviction, was disqualified from participating in the election. Both former tax inspectors, recently released from incarceration, united their campaigns under the rallying cry “Diomaye is Sonko,” vowing to combat corruption and champion national economic interests. They have garnered substantial favor among the youthful demographic in a nation where over 60% of the population is under 25 and grapples with employment challenges. Faye has pledged to allocate greater state resources towards addressing youth concerns.

The opposition gained momentum amid police crackdowns on demonstrations, exacerbated by escalating living expenses and apprehensions regarding President Sall’s potential bid for an extended tenure, surpassing constitutional boundaries. Public outrage intensified following attempts by authorities to postpone the election by ten months from its original February schedule.

Investor confidence wavered amid uncertainties over whether a new administration would maintain the business-friendly environment established under Sall’s leadership, which attracted significant investments in infrastructure. With Senegal poised to commence oil and gas production this year, Faye has outlined an array of reforms, including proposals to renegotiate existing contracts in the sector. Nonetheless, he moved to allay investor concerns last week, affirming the nation’s commitment to honoring its obligations.