Bassirou Diomaye Faye: Senegal election offers hope to frustrated young Africans - BBC News

The victory of President-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye, 44, shows that elections can bring change.

1 hour agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersImage caption, There were celebrations in the capital, Dakar, as early results indicated that Bassirou Diomaye Faye was leadingBy Leonard Mbulle-Nziege & Nic Cheeseman Africa analystsFew political turnarounds can match the last month in Senegal.

Just over two weeks ago, Bassirou Diomaye Faye was a little-known opposition leader languishing in jail, detained without trial on charges including inciting insurrection, who had never held elected office.

One week ago, he defeated the governing party's candidate, Amadou Ba, in the country's presidential election, winning 54% in the first round.

On Tuesday, the 44-year-old has been sworn in as the fifth president of Senegal, becoming Africa's youngest elected head of state.

In a region where a large majority of the population are under 30, his victory offers hope to those young people frustrated by a lack of economic opportunities, with old elites seemingly clinging to power.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-68684535

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