(3 Minutes Read)
Before the election, there was political uncertainty, which many felt would be taken advantage of by the incumbent Macky Sall by seeking a third term, as against the constitutionally mandated two terms
Senegal’s new president-elect, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, an icon of the youth, many of them unemployed, vows to fight corruption and reform the economy. The young president, who is also nicknamed a tax collector because of his earlier job in the tax department of the country, hails from an ordinary background, which many feel will be sensitive to the problems of the common man.
Faye’s mentor, popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was barred from running due to a prior conviction, had backed him and hoped that he would make a difference in the governance structure of the country. Before the election, there was political uncertainty, which many felt would be taken advantage of by the incumbent Macky Sall by seeking a third term, as against the constitutionally mandated two terms. Finally, Sall had to bow out due to domestic and international pressure to adhere to the constitution.
Faye’s campaign messages of economic reform and anti-corruption resonated with the youth, where almost a third of the younger population is unemployed. Thousands are risking their lives on dangerous journeys in search of jobs in the West. Many feel that Faye will create an environment where more young people can get work and contribute to their country. The official results are not expected to be out until later this week.
Read Also:
https://trendsnafrica.com/bassirou-diomaye-faye-new-president-of-senegal/
https://trendsnafrica.com/senegal-elections-early-results-show-bassirou-faye-closing-in-on-victory/
Analysts had expected a second round of voting in two weeks. But Faye was able to get more than 50% to avoid a run-off. One important task ahead of him is 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 also highlighted the same and said, if elected, he would renegotiate Senegal’s oil and gas contract and introduce a new currency. Many feel that he has to marshal political clout to walk the talk since distancing from the powerful lobby of global oil companies is an onerous task for any African country.
