The dream of every young man in Africa is to become the leader of tomorrow, but unfortunately, they get to their old age still waiting for tomorrow to come.
This is the sad reality they face, from generation to generation.
In Nigeria for instance, old age has not just become a criterion, but a tradition, one which the political system has refused to do away with.
In Nigeria, the fight for youth inclusion in politics has not ended, in fact, the last election intensified the interest of the youths in politics.
Posters of young politicians vying for various positions flooded the streets of many cities, but sadly, very few of them made it through, the old politicians as usual showed their political prowess.
Well, that is a story for another day, as it does not form the spine of this article.
The African Dream
This article centers on Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a left-wing pan-Africanist, who was sworn in on Tuesday as Senegal’s youngest president, a dream many African countries have had for years.
The swearing took place days after he won the presidential election.
Faye was declared the winner of the electoral process 10 days after he was released from prison.
The 44-year-old has never before held an elected office but several African leaders attended the ceremony in the new town of Diamniadio, near the capital Dakar.
His election has sparked curiosity as many people have become very eager to know more about him.
Well, worry no more, in this article, we have compiled things to know about Senegal’s Youngest President.
Early Beginnings
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.
Career
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.
Political Venture
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.
Also Read: Nigeria pledges to support Senegal grow its oil industry
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.
So many people in the nation are hopeful that the man of destiny would move the nation to a new level.
