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Bassirou Diomaye Faye

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Bassirou Diomaye Faye
President-elect of Senegal
Incumbent
Assumed office
2 April 2024
Preceded byMacky Sall
Personal details
Born1980
Ndiaganiao, Senegal
Political partyPASTEF
Spouse(s)Marie Khone Faye and Absa Faye
Children4
Alma materNational School of Administration, Dakar

Bassirou Diomaye Faye (born 1980) is a Senegalese politician and former tax inspector, who is the President-elect of Senegal.[1] He is the former general secretary of dissolved PASTEF and won the 2024 presidential election in place of disqualified candidate Ousmane Sonko.[2]

Education and early career

In 2000, Faye earned his baccalaureate. He successfully attained a master's degree in law and subsequently cleared both competitive exams, enrolling at the National School of Administration (ENA) and the magistracy in 2004. After graduation, he opted to become a tax inspector in the Tax and Estates department, where he befriended Sonko, a fellow alum from the same school.[1]

Faye and Sonko‘s relationship grew closer in 2014, in the Taxes and Estates Union, created by Sonko, the leader of newly founded PASTEF. During his time at the head of the union, Faye campaigned to facilitate homeownership for tax and property agents.[2]

Political career

Initially a guest when the party was founded, Faye swiftly ascended to become one of the most prominent figures within the party.[1] He would go on to become one of the ideologues and designers of Sonko's program for his presidential candidacy in 2019. Sonko gained almost 16% of the vote and came third.[2]

In February 2021, Faye became the general secretary of PASTEF after Sonko was arrested, being accused of repeated rape by a massage parlor employee. As part of its strategy to win power, Faye attempted to unite the opposition for the 2022 elections, winning 56 seats under the alliance 'Liberate the People'.[2]

Presidential campaign

After uncertainty over the possibility of Sonko being a candidate in the presidential election, PASTEF endorsed Faye in November 2023 as its candidate for the 2024 presidential election, despite him being detained. However, PASTEF had been dissolved several months earlier, meaning he was running as an independent.[3] On 20 January 2024, the Senegalese Constitutional Council published the final list of candidates for the presidential election and Sonko did not appear there after several legal battles. Faye's candidacy was validated because he was never convicted although remaining detained. Sonko quickly announced his support to Faye for the election.[4]

On 15 March 2024, a day after Faye's release from jail, he gathered hundreds of supporters at his first public appearance as a presidential contender.[5] Former president Abdoulaye Wade and his Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) endorsed Faye on the same day, in a boost to his chances of winning election. The move came after PDS candidate, Karim Wade, was disqualified from contesting the race because he was a dual citizen at the time he submitted his candidacy.[6] Cheikh Tidiane Dieye, another candidate in the presidential election, withdrew in favor of Faye.[7]

During the presidential campaign, he has promised to create jobs, campaigned strongly against corruption, and vowed to reexamine energy contracts.[8] He is running under the slogan "Diomaye mooy Ousmane", which means "Diomaye is Ousmane" in Wolof, and is hoping Sonko's charisma and popular appeal amongst Senegal's youth will boost his campaign.[9] Faye's program is similar with Sonko's for 2019.[2]

Imprisonment and release

On April 14, 2023, Faye was apprehended as he exited his tax and property office on Rue de Thiong in Dakar. Subsequently, he was placed under police custody for charges including "spreading false news, contempt of court, and defamation of a constituted body" following a social media post he made. In this post, he denounced the perceived injustice within the judicial system, foreseeing a verdict that could potentially disqualify Sonko in a legal dispute between PASTEF and the Minister of Tourism, Mame Mbaye Niang. As the situation progressed, additional charges of "incitement to insurrection" and "undermining state security" were brought against him, resulting in an indefinite period of detention.[2]

After an attempt by incumbent president Macky Sall in February to postpone the elections citing unresolved disputes over who could run, widespread protests occurred and the Constitutional Council overturned the postponement.[10] In response to the protests and overturn Sall said that he would leave office as scheduled on 2 April, setting the date on March 24.[11] He also expressed his willingness to release Sonko, Faye and all their supporters as an act of good faith.[12] In the end of February, the government tabled an amnesty bill to calm the social and political climate.[13] Several hundred political prisoners were released by the government,[14] and on 14 March, days before the election, Sonko and Faye were released from prison.[15]

Political positions

Faye says he believes in system change and left-wing pan-Africanism to reclaim Senegal's sovereignty, a rhetoric some analysts believe is an allusion to intentions to distance the country from Western powers especially former colonial ruler France.[16] He also vowed to fight "French economic stranglehold" over Senegal if elected.[2]

Constitutional reforms

Faye has promised to reduce presidential powers and reintroduce the vice presidency.[17]

Corruption

Faye has prioritized fighting political corruption if he is elected president, saying “No country can develop when corruption and embezzlement of public funds are endemic.”[8]

Currency

Faye wants to implement a monetary reform to finance the economy of Senegal, removing the CFA franc. In his program he states; “We will carry out a monetary reform that will allow our country to have its own currency.”[1] He added in a press conference that he believes, "There's no sovereignty if there is no monetary sovereignty."[18] After concern from foreign investors, he walked back the promise in March 2023, saying, "Senegal will seek to implement a reform of the CFA franc at a regional level first and if that fails, will consider creating a national currency."[18]

Energy

Faye believes in the renegotiation of contracts between the government and corporations in sectors ranging from energy and mining to fishing. He has also pledged to equally distribute profits out of a gasfield that is expected to start production this year.[17]

Military

Faye aims to enhance the reputation and integrity of the defense and security forces through a concerted effort to combat corruption and inefficiency. This initiative seeks to ensure the optimal utilization of resources by implementing programs aimed at boosting the morale, motivation, and oversight of officers. Additionally, there's a commitment to raise the salaries of lower-ranking personnel. His program pledges to uphold the core identity of the Armed Forces of Senegal by advocating for a return to military principles, preventing their involvement in political involvement. Furthermore, the plan includes bolstering the air capabilities of the army through the procurement of strategic transport aircraft, such as the C130, to fulfill external commitments effectively.[1]

Judicial

Faye believes there should be no ties between the executive and the judiciary. His plan involves transitioning from a Constitutional Council to a Constitutional Court, positioning it as the apex of the judicial structure. Additionally, in a bid to enhance accountability and fortify oversight mechanisms, he proposes abolishing political funds and substituting them with special funds allocated by the Assembly for critical operations, such as arms procurement and clandestine missions. Furthermore, legislation will be introduced to safeguard whistleblowers, aligning with the principles outlined in the law on transparency in public finance management.[1]

Personal life

Faye was born in 1980, in Ndiaganiao, the western department of Mbour.[1]

He has two wives; Marie Khone Faye and Absa Faye. Marie Khone, a close relative of her husband, have together had four children, 3 boys and a girl. He has not had any children with Absa.[19] Faye and Sonko are close friends, even naming one his sons Ousmane in honor of their friendship.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Bassirou Diomaye Faye: what's Senegal opposition contender about?". African Press Agency. 2024-03-11. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Senegal's presidential election: Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Ousmane Sonko's Plan B". Le Monde.fr. 2024-03-23. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  3. ^ "Senegal opposition party sponsoring new candidate Faye after court blocks jailed leader Sonko's bid". AP News. 2023-11-19. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  4. ^ "Ousmane Sonko chooses Bassirou Diomaye Faye as replacement in Senegal's presidential race". Africanews. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  5. ^ "Freed from jail, Senegal opposition presidential candidate draws hundreds to first event". Reuters.
  6. ^ "Senegal's ex-President Wade and party back opposition candidate Faye". Reuters.
  7. ^ "Presidential election in Senegal: Cheikh Tidiane Dieye calls to vote for Bassirou Diomaye Faye". Jeuneafrique.
  8. ^ a b Princewill, Nimi (2024-03-23). "Senegal goes to the polls as country's once sturdy democracy looks shaky". CNN. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  9. ^ "Senegal Elections 2024: Faye and his change mantra". TRT Africa. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  10. ^ "Senegal election: Opposition supporters march in Dakar calling for swift vote". 2024-02-17. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  11. ^ "Senegal President Macky Sall announces 24 March election". BBC. 2024-03-06. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  12. ^ "Senegal's President Macky Sall agrees to step down in April". BBC. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Senegal's Macky Sall proposes amnesty bill to calm election-linked turmoil". France 24. 2024-02-27. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  14. ^ "Eye on Africa - Senegal justice ministry says over 300 prisoners released in a week". France 24. 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  15. ^ "Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye: Senegal opposition leaders freed days before election". 2024-03-15. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  16. ^ "Senegal Elections 2024: Faye and his change mantra". TRT Africa. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  17. ^ a b Pietromarchi, Virginia. "Tax inspectors to poultry boss: Senegal's presidential candidates". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  18. ^ a b "Senegal opposition leader backs off promise to create national currency". Reuters.
  19. ^ xalimapost (2024-03-22). "En route vers le Palais : Voici les femmes de Bassirou Diomaye Faye". Xalima.com (in French). Retrieved 2024-03-23.
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