…17 things to know about President Faye

April 2, 2024

Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been sworn in as the fifth Senegalese President.

The 44-year-old Faye becomes Senegal’s youngest President.

He took over from Macky Sall on Tuesday, April 2 in an event witnessed by African leaders in the new town of Diamniadio, near the capital Dakar.

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

He also 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 formal handover of power with outgoing President Macky Sall will take place at the presidential palace in Dakar.

17 things to know about Senegal’s youngest President Faye

1. Faye was born on March 25, 1980, in Ndiaganiao, in the western department of M’Bour, Senegal.

2. He went to primary school in his village and undertook middle and high school in Mbour.

3. In 2000, Faye earned his baccalaureate (A university bachelor’s degree.)

4. He attained a Master’s degree in law in Dakar Cheikh Anta Diop University and subsequently cleared both competitive exams, enrolling at the National School of Administration of Senegal (ENA) and the magistracy in 2004.

5. He is 44 years old.

6. He is Senegal’s youngest President.

7. He took over from immediate past president Macky Sall.

8. He was the General Secretary of the banned party PASTEF.

9. He won the 2024 Senegalese presidential election in place of disqualified candidate Ousmane Sonko.

10. On 14 April 2023, Faye was apprehended as he exited his tax and property office on Rue de Thiong in Dakar.

11. Faye was among a group of political opponents freed from prison 10 days before the March 24 presidential ballot under an amnesty announced by Sall.

12. Faye’s campaign was launched while he was still in detention.

13. He was a former tax inspector

14. He is Senegalese fifth president since independence from France in 1960.

15. He is the first president to openly admit to a polygamous marriage.

16. In the election, Faye received over 54% of the vote, making him the first opposition candidate to have won an election in the first round since Senegal’s independence in 1960.

17. In his inaugural address, Faye pledged to fight corruption and reform the economy.