Systemic Change and Greater Sovereignty

Promises made by Bassirou Diomaye Faye during his inauguration on Tuesday, April 2, 2024

By Theo Edwards

Bassirou Diomaye Faye, 44, the opposition candidate in the recent Senegalese presidential election, was sworn into office on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, as the nation's fifth president. He's now also Africa's youngest elected president.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye will be succeeding Macky Sall who ruled Senegal since 2012.

“Before God and before the Senegalese nation, I swear to faithfully fulfill the office of President of the Republic, of the Republic of Senegal, to observe as well as to conscientiously abide by the provisions of the constitution and the laws, to devote all my power to defending the constitutional institutions, the integrity of the territory, national independence and to spare no effort to achieve African unity.”

— Taking the oath of office, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye declared.

Senegal's Newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye addresses the audience after he took the oath of office as president during the inauguration ceremony in Dakar, Senegal April 2, 2024. Photo credit: REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

More solidarity is also needed between African nations to tackle security threats, the freshly minted leader said to an audience of officials and African heads of state in Diamniadio near Dakar, the capital city.

Over a dozen heads of state and regional representatives attended the inauguration, including Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo, and African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat. The military juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger also sent representatives.

In Pictures | President Diomaye Faye of Senegal Inauguration

“The victory of President Diomaye Faye of Senegal is showing the world there is some hope in the African democracy.

May his presidency bring about the desired changes to the good people of Senegal & the entire West Africa.”

— Adnan Abdullahi Adam | Congratulatory Message