Senegal’s president-elect pledges to fight corruption after a stunning victory for the 44-year-old
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Senegal’s president-elect pledges to fight corruption after a stunning victory for the 44-year-old

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal woke up Tuesday to a new president-elect, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a former tax inspector and political newcomer who inspired voters, including many unemployed youth, with a vow to fight corruption and reform the economy. Winning Sunday’s presidential election was a dramatic rise for Faye, who was released from prison less than two weeks ago and is now due to be the youngest leader of the West African nation. “We needed change.” Faye has vowed to improve Senegal’s control over its natural resources by promoting national companies to prevent the country from falling into what his campaign called “economic enslavement.” His manifesto promised to renegotiate Senegal’s oil and gas contracts and introduce a new currency. Rida Lyammouri of the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank, said that a promise by Faye to move away from former colonial power France could define the foreign policy of the country’s new government.

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History of this topic

Senegal votes as President Faye eyes parliamentary majority to push reforms
1 month, 1 week ago

Senegal votes as President Faye eyes parliamentary majority to push reforms

Al Jazeera  

More than seven million people eligible to vote in the snap election, with jobs and rising prices on their minds. Polls have opened in Senegal’s parliamentary elections as President Bassirou Diomaye Faye aims for a resounding majority to see through the promises of ambitious reforms that swept him to power eight months ago. Faye secured victory in March pledging economic …

Senegal’s Faye dissolves parliament and sets elections for November
3 months, 1 week ago

Senegal’s Faye dissolves parliament and sets elections for November

Al Jazeera  

The president, citing reform roadblocks, said working with the opposition-led assembly had become difficult. Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has dissolved the opposition-led parliament, paving the way for snap elections six months after he was voted in on an anti-establishment platform. Faye said working with the assembly had grown difficult after members refused to start discussions on the budget law …

Senegal’s Faye appoints ally Ousmane Sonko as prime minister
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Senegal’s Faye appoints ally Ousmane Sonko as prime minister

Al Jazeera  

Senegal’s new president has appointed firebrand politician and key backer Ousmane Sonko as prime minister in his first act as the West African nation’s leader. Bassirou Diomaye Faye made the announcement shortly after he was sworn into office on Tuesday, pledging systemic change after years of deadly turmoil under his predecessor, Macky Sall, a political opponent of Sonko. Popular among …

Senegal swears in new president days after his release from prison
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Senegal swears in new president days after his release from prison

The Independent  

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Senegal swears in Africa’s youngest elected leader as president in a dramatic prison-to-palace rise
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Senegal swears in Africa’s youngest elected leader as president in a dramatic prison-to-palace rise

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal inaugurated Africa’s youngest elected leader as president on Tuesday, as the 44-year-old and previously little-known Bassirou Diomaye Faye completed a dramatic ascent from prison to palace within weeks. Last month’s election tested Senegal’s reputation as a stable democracy in West Africa, a region rocked in recent years by coups and attempted coups. “Through my election, the …

From prisoner to president in 20 days, Senegal’s Diomaye Faye takes office
8 months, 3 weeks ago

From prisoner to president in 20 days, Senegal’s Diomaye Faye takes office

Al Jazeera  

As the 44-year-old is sworn in after a crucial election, we chart the road to victory for Africa’s newest and youngest leader. It was three days after Senegal’s contested March 24 presidential election – the day provisional results were announced – and there was a sense that something had turned: a new vigour for democracy brought about by the election …

Photos: Senegal’s youngest president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, sworn in
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Photos: Senegal’s youngest president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, sworn in

Al Jazeera  

Senegal has inaugurated Bassirou Diomaye Faye as its president, completing the previously little-known opposition figure’s dramatic ascent from prison to the palace in just weeks. “Before God and the Senegalese nation, I swear to faithfully fulfil the office of president of the Republic of Senegal,” Faye said in Diamniadio, near the capital, Dakar. “This is a day of celebration for …

Election results confirm Bassirou Diomaye Faye's victory in Senegal's presidential race
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Election results confirm Bassirou Diomaye Faye's victory in Senegal's presidential race

China Daily  

Senegal's president-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye speaks during a press conference in Dakar, Senegal March 25, 2024. DAKAR -- Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the candidate of the opposition coalition "Diomaye President," has won Senegal's presidential election, according to results released Wednesday by the country's National Vote Counting Commission. Faye secured a total of 2,434,751 votes, constituting 54.28 percent of the total votes …

Senegal's president-elect pledges to fight corruption after a stunning victory for the 44-year-old
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Senegal's president-elect pledges to fight corruption after a stunning victory for the 44-year-old

Deccan Chronicle  

Dakar, Mar 26 Senegal woke up Tuesday to a new president-elect, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a former tax inspector and political newcomer who inspired voters, including many unemployed youth, with a vow to fight corruption and reform the economy. Winning Sunday's presidential election was a dramatic rise for Faye, who was released from prison less than two weeks ago and is …

Senegal's president-elect pledges to fight corruption after a stunning victory for the 44-year-old
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Senegal's president-elect pledges to fight corruption after a stunning victory for the 44-year-old

Deccan Chronicle  

Dakar, Mar 26 Senegal woke up Tuesday to a new president-elect, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a former tax inspector and political newcomer who was released from prison just weeks ago and had inspired voters, many of them unemployed youth, with a vow to fight corruption and reform the economy. The election followed months of unrest ignited by Faye and Sonko's arrest …

What’s next for Senegal under likely President Bassirou Diomaye Faye?
8 months, 4 weeks ago

What’s next for Senegal under likely President Bassirou Diomaye Faye?

Al Jazeera  

Faye promises to review the West African nation’s mining contracts and ties with key nations. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a previously little-known tax inspector freed from jail two weeks ago, looks likely to become Senegal’s next president after a vote that observers say is proof of the country’s democratic resilience. “I pledge to devote myself fully to rebuilding our institutions.” Faye …

Senegal’s president-elect pledges to fight corruption after a stunning victory
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Senegal’s president-elect pledges to fight corruption after a stunning victory

LA Times  

Senegal woke up Tuesday to a new president-elect, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a former tax inspector and political newcomer who inspired voters, including many unemployed youth, with a vow to fight corruption and reform the economy. “We needed change.” Faye has vowed to improve Senegal’s control over its natural resources by promoting national companies to prevent the country from falling into …

Senegal’s little-known opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye is named the next president
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Senegal’s little-known opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye is named the next president

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal’s little-known, 44-year-old opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye was named the country’s next president on Monday, less than two weeks after being released from prison to run in the election. Faye, who was backed by popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, has vowed to improve Senegal’s control over its natural resources by promoting national companies to prevent the …

Former Senegal prime minister concedes defeat in presidential election to opposition candidate
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Former Senegal prime minister concedes defeat in presidential election to opposition candidate

LA Times  

Supporters of presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Senegal’s top opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, gather outside their campaign headquarters in Dakar, Senegal, on Sunday as they await the results of the presidential election. A former Senegalese prime minister on Monday conceded the presidential election to the opposition candidate based on preliminary results a day after the vote, according to a …

Vantage | How Senegal's people ensured democracy won before they vote
9 months ago

Vantage | How Senegal's people ensured democracy won before they vote

Firstpost  

Senegal’s journey towards democracy is far from over, but its story serves as an inspiration to nations across the continent and beyond In the heart of West Africa lies Senegal, a country with a unique story amidst the shadows of its colonial past. Despite facing legal obstacles that barred him from running for president, Sonko mobilised his supporters behind a …

Top Senegal opposition leader vows to help win March 24 election, speaking out after prison release
9 months, 1 week ago

Top Senegal opposition leader vows to help win March 24 election, speaking out after prison release

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Top opposition leader Ousmane Sonko vowed Friday to help his team win Senegal’s March 24 presidential election even though he is barred from the ballot, jumping into the campaign in his first public address since being freed from prison a day earlier. Ousmane Sonko’s release late Thursday after months behind bars triggered a mix of jubilation and …

‘We want Sonko’: Senegal opposition boosted after leaders freed before vote
9 months, 1 week ago

‘We want Sonko’: Senegal opposition boosted after leaders freed before vote

Al Jazeera  

The release of firebrand Sonko and his right-hand man Faye could help opposition chances in the March 24 election to replace outgoing President Macky Sall. Celebrations broke out among Senegal’s opposition supporters after two of their top leaders were freed from jail 10 days before the country’s delayed presidential election. Firebrand politician Ousmane Sonko and his close aide Bassirou Diomaye …

Senegal’s top opposition leaders released from prison as elections loom
9 months, 1 week ago

Senegal’s top opposition leaders released from prison as elections loom

Al Jazeera  

Freedom for Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye could dramatically alter the election race. Senegal’s top opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, has been released from prison, triggering jubilant celebrations outside the prison as well as across Dakar, the capital. State broadcaster RTS reported Sonko was freed along with key ally Bassirou Diomaye Faye late on Thursday. Their release comes after a …

Senegal’s top opposition leader freed from prison ahead of presidential election this month
9 months, 1 week ago

Senegal’s top opposition leader freed from prison ahead of presidential election this month

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal’s top opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, has been released from prison ahead of the presidential election later this month, triggering jubilant celebrations across the country’s capital. Sonko, who finished third in the 2019 presidential election, is popular among young people and his fiery campaign to tackle corruption has resonated in a country with economic hardship. Sall himself …

Senegal’s presidential candidates kick off campaigns after violent protests over a delay of the vote
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Senegal’s presidential candidates kick off campaigns after violent protests over a delay of the vote

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Presidential candidates in Senegal kicked off their election campaigns on Saturday, following weeks of violent protests across the African country after the vote was delayed. The 19 approved candidates vying for the top job now have a shorter period to rally supporters ahead of the March 24 election, expected to be the most tightly contested race since …

Senegal court orders reinstatement of Sonko on election list
1 year ago

Senegal court orders reinstatement of Sonko on election list

Al Jazeera  

The popular opposition leader has been in jail since July, when he was also struck off Senegal’s electoral roll. A Senegalese court has ordered the reinstatement of jailed opposition leader Ousmane Sonko on the electoral register, a ruling that could pave the way for him to run in a February presidential election, his lawyer Cire Cledor Ly said on Thursday. …

Ruling by Senegal’s highest court blocks jailed opposition leader Sonko from running for president
1 year, 1 month ago

Ruling by Senegal’s highest court blocks jailed opposition leader Sonko from running for president

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal’s highest court on Friday effectively barred detained opposition leader Ousmane Sonko from running for president early next year by overturning a decision that would have reinstated him to the West African country’s voter rolls. Senegal’s government formally dissolved Sonko’s political party earlier this year and canceled his voter registration after he was convicted of corrupting youth. …

Senegalese opposition leader Sonko sent back to prison after weeks in hospital during hunger strike
1 year, 1 month ago

Senegalese opposition leader Sonko sent back to prison after weeks in hospital during hunger strike

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has returned to prison after weeks of undergoing medical treatment in the hospital during a hunger strike to protest his detention on charges he says are politically motivated. The announcement comes just days before Senegal’s Supreme Court is due to rule on whether Sonko can take part in the upcoming February election …

Senegal electoral commission says main opposition leader Sonko should be given sponsorship forms
1 year, 1 month ago

Senegal electoral commission says main opposition leader Sonko should be given sponsorship forms

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal’s electoral commission on Tuesday asked that sponsorship forms be given to main opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, whose candidacy for the upcoming presidential election has been called into question over the past year amid a series of criminal charges. The ECOWAS Court of Justice said that it would render its verdict next week on Senegal’s dissolution of …

Senegal’s Ousmane Sonko charged with fomenting insurrection
1 year, 4 months ago

Senegal’s Ousmane Sonko charged with fomenting insurrection

Al Jazeera  

New charges follow opposition leader’s arrest on Friday and are not related to an alleged rape case that sparked deadly riots in June. Senegal’s opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has been charged with plotting an insurrection and other new offences, according to the country’s public prosecutor. Abdou Karim Diop, Senegal’s public prosecutor, told reporters the new charges stem from comments Sonko …

Senegal’s opposition leader charged with conspiracy against the state and calls for insurrection
1 year, 4 months ago

Senegal’s opposition leader charged with conspiracy against the state and calls for insurrection

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal’s opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has been charged with conspiracy against the state and calls for insurrections among other offenses, the public prosecutor said Saturday. The announcement comes weeks after Sonko was convicted on separate charges of corrupting youth and sentenced to two years in prison, which ignited deadly protests across the nation. Prosecutor Abdou Karim Diop …

The sexual assault case behind Senegal’s unrest
1 year, 6 months ago

The sexual assault case behind Senegal’s unrest

Al Jazeera  

Senegal, a beacon of stability and democracy in West Africa, has been rocked by deadly protests. Clashes erupted in Senegal after opposition figure Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison on June 1. He was accused of raping a woman who worked in a massage parlor; the court cleared Sonko of rape but found him guilty of a …

Senegal opposition leader Sonko convicted of corrupting youth, acquitted of rape
1 year, 6 months ago

Senegal opposition leader Sonko convicted of corrupting youth, acquitted of rape

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was convicted Thursday of corrupting youth but acquitted on charges of raping a woman who worked at a massage parlor and making death threats against her. Under Senegalese law, his conviction would bar Sonko from running in next year’s election, said Bamba Cisse, another defense lawyer. “The verdict cements the criticism that …

Ousmane Sonko sentenced: Why are tensions flaring in Senegal?
1 year, 6 months ago

Ousmane Sonko sentenced: Why are tensions flaring in Senegal?

Al Jazeera  

Supporters of opposition figure denounce charges and two-year sentence as a ploy to prevent him from running in presidential elections next year. Sonko’s supporters threw rocks at riot police and set fire to buses on Thursday after a court sentenced him in absentia for “corrupting youth”. After Thursday’s verdict, clashes broke out between police and protesters, buses were set alight …

At least 9 dead in clashes between police and opposition leader’s supporters in Senegal
1 year, 6 months ago

At least 9 dead in clashes between police and opposition leader’s supporters in Senegal

LA Times  

Clashes between police and supporters of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko left nine people dead, the government said Friday, with authorities issuing a blanket ban on the use of several social media platforms in the aftermath of the violence. Under Senegalese law, his conviction would bar Sonko from running in next year’s election, said Bamba Cisse, another defense lawyer. “The …

Senegal’s top opposition leader found guilty of libel
1 year, 8 months ago

Senegal’s top opposition leader found guilty of libel

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal’s top opposition leader has been given a two-month suspended sentence after being found guilty of libel. they decided to force it but they know that it’s not normal,” El Malick Ndiaye, national secretary in charge of communication for Sonko’s Pastef Les Patriotes party, told The Associated Press. Sonko finished third in Senegal’s 2019 presidential election and …

Senegal’s Ousmane Sonko given two-month suspended term for libel
1 year, 8 months ago

Senegal’s Ousmane Sonko given two-month suspended term for libel

Al Jazeera  

A court in Senegal has handed down a two-month suspended prison sentence to leading opposition politician Ousmane Sonko for libel, his lawyers said. “The opposition has always said the justice system serves the purpose of eliminating the opposition that could be rivals to the president, but the ruling party says the verdict shows that democracy is thriving in Senegal,” Haque …

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