Introduction

Born on March 25, 1980, in Ndiaganio, in central Senegal, he was propelled onto the political scene during the deadly riots of March 2021.

A former tax inspector who, just a few months ago, was not predicted to become president, on the evening of March 24, 2024, became the fifth President of the Republic of Senegal.

His path to the Palace of the Republic is as inspiring as it is unexpected.

His childhood and academic career

Born into an extremely modest farming family, young Bassirou grew up in a village where, according to him, the atmosphere was very jovial. He took his first steps at the Ndiaganio secondary school, then at the Demba secondary school in Mbour on the Senegalese coast, where he obtained his baccalauréat in 2000. His first night was spent on the floor of a tailor’s workshop in precarious conditions, with nowhere to sleep.

These difficult conditions pushed him to give his all to succeed in his studies in order to help his poor parents and his village.

He studied law at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, graduating with a master’s degree in law in 2004. He went on to pass the tough and selective entrance exams for the École nationale d’administration and the judicial training centre.

In the end, he chose to go to ENA, from which he graduated as a tax inspector. Years later, he became General Secretary of the Syndicat des Impôts et des Domaines, which naturally led him into politics.

His political career

His career began at the General Directorate of Taxes and Estates. Together with a few of his colleagues, they decided to set up a breakaway political party that would put the country’s interests above everything and everyone else. In January 2014, they created PASTEF (Patriotes africains du Sénégal pour le travail, l’éthique et la fraternité) with Ousmane Sonko, known for his uprightness and his unrivalled love for Senegal, as its chairman.

Diomaye Faye quickly established himself as a key figure in the party, helping to shape its strategy and policies.

Arrest and presidential candidacy

He was arrested in April 2023 following a Facebook post in which he denounced the instrumentalization of the justice system against the candidacy of Ousmane Sonko, the overwhelming favourite for the presidential election.

Sonko, who had been imprisoned and excluded from the presidential election, nominated Diomaye Faye, who was also in prison but still enjoyed his civil and political rights, as the party’s official candidate.

From prison to the palace

Released from prison with his mentor, Ousmane Sonko under an amnesty law, he kicked off an intense election campaign several days late.

On the evening of March 24, 2024, at the age of 44, he unsurprisingly became the fifth President of the Republic of Senegal with 54.28% of the vote, and subsequently appointed Ousmane Sonko as his Prime Minister.

In his swearing-in speech, he said that he was open to bilateral cooperation if it would benefit the country. He also made the fight against corruption and illicit enrichment his battle horse, in addition to numerous reforms in the justice system and other key sectors such as the economy, health, and, above all, youth employment.

Conclusion

An unexpected president, he faces many challenges, but his character and his full awareness of the issues and his mission, as well as his prestigious career, make him an excellent profile to lead Senegal.

His pairing with Ousmane Sonko is raising a lot of hopes in the country, and even beyond our borders.

If they manage to bring about real change and succeed in developing the country, it will send out a strong signal to the whole continent, which will finally be able to believe in its emancipation.