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Senegal's New President Vows He Will Free His Country From France, France Must Leave After months of tense political circumstances surrounding outgoing President Macky Sall's attempts to delay the election, Sagal made history by electing Bassirou Diomaye Faye as the youngest president ever on the continent. This charismatic and progressive pan-African leader has promised a new era for Sagal, aiming to break free from the remnants of colonial influence and forge a future characterized by independence and autonomy, particularly from France, the country's former colonial ruler. Faye's victory represents a significant moment not only for Sagal but also for a generation that longs for a fresh vision prioritizing self-determination and unity across Africa. This raises questions about who Faye is, how he ascended to power, and his plans to liberate Sagal from French control. While little is known about the early years of this charismatic leader, it is understood that he was born in 1980 in Ndiaganiao, located in Sagal's western department. According to Faye's campaign website, he completed high school in 2000 and pursued a law degree before obtaining a master's degree from Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar. Around 2004, he specialized as a tax inspector while attending Senegal's prestigious National School of Administration, which serves as a training ground for top public servants. It was during this time that he crossed paths with his mentor, Ousmane Sonko, while working as a tax inspector in the tax and estates department. Over the years, their bond grew stronger. When Sonko established his political party in 2014, he invited Faye to join. Faye quickly rose through the ranks and became one of the key strategists behind Sonko's presidential campaign in 2019. However, after Sonko's arrest and conviction on charges widely regarded as politically motivated, Faye assumed de facto leadership of the Pastef party. He attempted to unite the opposition to challenge the ruling government's grip on power. In April 2023, Faye himself was arrested and detained on similar politically motivated charges. In January 2024, while Faye remained in detention, Sonko was excluded from the final list of eligible presidential candidates. Nonetheless, Sonko swiftly threw his support behind Faye in the elections, and a coalition of over 100 political parties joined forces under the banner “Doimaye Mooy Sonko,“ which translates to “Doimaye is Sonko.“ Sonko and Faye were both released in mid-March 2024, and without wasting any time, they embarked on a nationwide tour, attracting massive crowds leading up to the polls on Sunday, March 24, 2024. Fueled by strong support from disillusioned young voters who were fed up with unemployment, corruption, and Macky Sall's election postponement maneuvers, Bassirou Diomaye Faye managed to deliver a decisive blow in the first round, defeating the ruling party's candidate, Amadou Ba, with approximately 54% of the vote compared to Ba's 37%.
