Senegal's president-elect Faye pledges to govern with humility
Dakar, Senegal (PANA) – Senegal's president-elect, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, has pledged to govern with humility, with his priorities being national reconciliation and rebuilding institutions.
“The Senegalese people have chosen rupture. I commit to governing with humility. I am committed to fighting against corruption,” Faye, who swept to a resounding first round victory over former Prime minister and candidate of the ruling coalition, Amadou Ba, said in his first interaction with journalists on Monday.
The official Senegalese Press Agency (APS) said Faye, 44, highlighted the “attachment” of the Senegalese people to democracy and justice, saying: “This election is above all the victory of the Senegalese people in the defence of sovereignty, democratic values and republican principles.”
The Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA) has yet to release the official results.
However, President Macky Sall, Mr. Ba and other presidential candidates have congratulated him for the first round victory.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Gambian President Adama Barrow have also congratulated him.
Faye, 44, will succeed President Sall whose second and final term ends on 2 April. He will be the youngest president of Senegal.
President-elect Faye promised “hard and methodical work” in the direction of “strengthening our living together” and the fight against the cost of living which will be given priority to give substance to the immense hope of the Senegalese people who found themselves in the project that the victorious coalition presented.
He said he will also initiate broad inclusive and sectoral consultations for the relaunch of efficient public policies.
Recalling the context in which the election was held, Faye praised the government for organising a free, transparent and democratic election.
“This election took place in a context marked by a pre-electoral crisis which cost lives and injured people … We intend to turn this page and get to work tirelessly.”
Faye, 44, was released from prison only a few days ago after benefitting from an amnesty granted by outgoing President Sall.
He said Senegal will "always stand alongside our African sisters and brothers to consolidate the process of building continental integration”.
Faye also assured the international community of Senegal's determination to always remain a secure partner.
“I would like to say to the international community, to our bilateral and multilateral partners that Senegal will always hold its place, it will remain the friendly country and the safe and reliable ally of any partner who will engage with us in virtuous, respectful cooperation and be mutually productive,” he suggested.
No incidents were officially reported on Sunday.
The mood in the camp of the opposition has been jubilant since Sunday night, as supporters waving the national flag poured into the streets singing, dancing, tooting car horns, blowing vuvuzelas and setting off fireworks in anticipation of a major first round victory for their candidate.
-0- PANA MA 26March2024
