Numerous African Leaders descended upon Senegal to witness the historic inauguration of President-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
After a contentious electoral process, Mr. Faye emerged victorious with 54% of the popular vote, triumphing over his primary opponent, Amadou Ba of the ruling coalition.
The nation’s constitutional council formally ratified Mr. Faye’s electoral triumph, solidifying his ascent to the presidency.
Security measures were intensified in the vicinity of the presidential palace in anticipation of the swearing-in ceremony.
Approximately 15 heads of state were slated to grace the occasion, notably including Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who also held the chairmanship of the West African regional bloc, Ecowas.
Among the distinguished attendees were Moussa Faki, Chair of the African Union Commission, and Omar Alieu Touray, President of the Ecowas Commission, as reported by local media outlets.
The lead-up to the election was tumultuous, marked by outbreaks of violence triggered by President Macky Sall’s attempts to postpone the electoral process.
Mr. Faye himself endured a period of incarceration, only to be released shortly before the election, courtesy of a governmental amnesty.
Within Senegal, Mr. Faye had come to symbolize a beacon of hope, with citizens fervently anticipating his administration to usher in much-needed transformation and progress.
