Bassirou Diomaye Faye, aged 44, has made history by assuming office as Senegal’s fifth President, becoming the youngest to hold the position.
He officially succeeded Macky Sall on Tuesday, April 2, with prominent African leaders present to witness the inauguration ceremony held in the modern enclave of Diamniadio, situated close to the capital city of Dakar.
“Before God and the Senegalese nation, I swear to faithfully fulfil the office of President of the Republic of Senegal,” Faye said before the gathered officials.
He also vowed to “scrupulously observe the provisions of the Constitution and the laws” and to defend “the integrity of the territory and national independence, and to spare no effort to achieve African unity”.
The formal handover of power with outgoing President Macky Sall will take place at the presidential palace in Dakar.
Details later…