Political newcomer Bassirou Diomaye Faye elected president in Senegal
SENEGAL woke today to a new president-elect, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a former tax inspector and political newcomer who was released from prison just weeks ago and has vowed to fight corruption and reform the economy.
Mr Faye was catapulted into a presidential campaign after popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was barred from running due to a prior conviction, backed him.
“I pledge to govern with humility and transparency and to fight corruption at all levels. I pledge to devote myself fully to rebuilding our institutions,” he said in his first speech as president-elect, restating promises made during his campaign.
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44-year-old Faye won the March 24 election with 54.2 per cent of the vote. He has promised to restore the republic’s institutions, renegotiate mining and energy contracts, and work towards monetary reform, including potentially a new currency, writes TANUPRIYA SINGH
