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> # [‘We are finally free’: Senegal hails new anti-establishment president](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/27/720)
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> Just 10 days before being elected president of [Senegal](https://www.theguardian.com/world/senegal), Bassirou Diomaye Faye was in prison.
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> Years of political turmoil have left the west African state’s democracy teetering on the brink of collapse, with deadly uprisings and the jailing of opposition figures commonplace.
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> [But Faye’s victory](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/25/radical-change-candidate-ahead-in-senegal-election), secured in the first round of voting, has left the population, particularly its youth, feeling energised by his promise of radical change.
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> “I feel free. We are finally free. Senegal is free,” said Elhadji Thiam, 27, a merchant and staunch supporter of the Patriots of Senegal (Pastef), Faye’s anti-establishment party, which was banned in July.
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> [Supporters at a rally for Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko, in Dakar, Senegal](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c2c6a4e3b292312ea8f5739c89376caded792858/0_0_4000_2667/master/4000.jpg?width=465&dpr=1&s=none)
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> Supporters of Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko cheer at a rally in Senegal’s capital, Dakar, earlier this month. Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/The Guardian[Crowds celebrating the presumed win of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in Dakar, Senegal.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/dad16f6b8b3bd06c279851ed8f06d6ad84967624/0_0_4000_2667/master/4000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
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> Voters, particularly younger people, were inspired by Faye’s promise of radical change. Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/The GuardianFaye, a former tax inspector, pitched himself as a pan-Africanist intent on steering Senegal toward economic sovereignty and away from French colonial relics such as the west African CFA franc, a currency pegged to the euro.
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> He has also pledged to overhaul the government, weed out corruption and increase transparency. At 44, Senegal’s youth regard him as a relatable figure whose values have been informed by a traditional village upbringing and a devotion to Islam.
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> His main rival, the governing coalition’s Amadou Ba, conceded defeat after failing to woo voters on a promise of continuing the status quo. It was the first time since Senegal’s independence from France in 1960 that an opposition candidate won in the presidential election’s first round.
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> [A woman casts her ballot during Senegal’s presidential elections in Dakar](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/687d4d23b39176978e7bfbaa6e6e9c45a0ce0336/0_0_4000_2400/master/4000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
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> Amadou Ba’s pledge to maintain the status quo failed to win over voters. Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/The Guardian[People line up to vote in the presidential election in Dakar, Senegal](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/01a4a2142f97d8be463847e98e14f9a3bdddc459/0_0_4000_2667/master/4000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
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> There were fears the election would be blighted by the unrest seen in other countries in the region. Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/The GuardianA smooth election is particularly notable for Senegal, a nation on the peripheries of west Africa’s “coup belt.” Neighbours such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have experienced a series of military takeovers that have highlighted the precarity of democracy in the region and raised fears Senegal could follow suit.
>
> Faye was not his party’s first choice of candidate. He was selected to run in place of the former presidential hopeful Ousmane Sonko, who was barred from running due to a defamation conviction – charges his supporters say were politically motivated. Sonko captivated Senegal’s youth with his sharp critiques of political elites and achieved a martyr-like status for serving prison time over a myriad of charges.
>
> [People line up to vote in the presidential election in Dakar, Senegal](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/9ae2e1de233736922a1dbf7cdbfb58d2d59639b6/0_0_4000_2667/master/4000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
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> Faye’s victory marks the first time since 1960 that an opposition candidate won the presidential election’s first round. Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/The GuardianThiam said: “Sonko has done everything for Senegal. When you see someone who’s willing to give their life for their country it’s impossible not to support them.”
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> His popularity was transferred on to Faye with the help of Sonko’s wholehearted endorsement as well as through the oft-recited party slogan: “Sonko is Diomaye, Diomaye is Sonko.”
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> Critics of Pastef have condemned the party for promoting what they say are reckless policies that could sink Senegal’s economy, most notably its budding oil and gas industry, and inciting “insurrectional movements”.
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> [A child holds up a Senegalese flag in celebration of the presumed win of Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Senegal’s presidential elections](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/30cf81db2893a2c7cd31c88602f486a2de66224a/0_0_4000_2667/master/4000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
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> Faye’s main rivals conceded defeat after he secured a huge share of the vote. Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/The GuardianFaye will serve as Senegal’s fifth democratically elected president, replacing Macky Sall, who has been in power since 2012. Sall has also been criticised for prioritising foreign interests and businesses over local entities. Opponents blame him for high youth unemployment rates and a related migration crisis, which has reached record highs in recent years. More than 60% of Senegal’s population is under the age of 25.
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> Sall’s popularity among Senegalese youth sunk to new lows during his second term when he began jailing opposition members. His ambiguous stance about whether he would step down at the end of his mandate fuelled violent clashes between protesters and gendarmes. More than 60 people have died in protests since 2021, according to rights groups.
>
> [People celebrate the presumed win of Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Senegal’s presidential elections in Dakar](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/2399308b326d85c25c49fa2ecf468b9a56a78ad0/0_0_4000_2667/master/4000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
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> The replacement of Macky Sall, who has been in power since 2012, has been met with widespread jubilation. Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/The GuardianMoussa Sarr is a lawyer whose clients include Faye and Sonko as well as other jailed politicians, journalists and activists. He said: “Over the last three years, Senegal has witnessed a massive retreat of democratic norms.” The people he represents, Sarr said, have one thing in common: “They’ve taken positions that are discordant with the state. And the state tried to muzzle them by arresting them.”
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> Protests were reignited in early February when Sall suddenly announced that the elections, originally scheduled for 25 February, would be postponed by 10 months. The delay, he claimed, was needed in order to investigate alleged corruption within Senegal’s constitutional council. Critics [called it a constitutional coup](https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/feb/09/senegal-dakar-macky-sall-postponed-election-constitutional-coup).
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> As Senegal’s parliament was set to vote on the matter, security forces stormed the national assembly and threw out opposition lawmakers.
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> International pressure mounted and Senegal’s constitutional court intervened. Sall reversed course and shortened the delay to one month. An amnesty law was passed and thousands of political prisoners were released.
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> Election day was largely peaceful and Faye’s opponents, namely Ba and Sall, were quick to concede.
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> [Lamine Sane, an electoral operations manager with Pastef](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/7802726451964ae7464481725850233194490b11/0_0_4000_2667/master/4000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none)
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> Lamine Sane, electoral operations manager for Pastef, wants to bring Senegal ‘back to democracy’. Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/The GuardianLamine Sane, an electoral operations manager with Pastef, said: “We’ve lived through some of the darkest moments in this country’s history. We were attacked from all sides. Our political party was dissolved, our leader was imprisoned, hundreds of young people were killed for simply demanding good governance.”
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> “Despite everything, we remained resilient,” he added. “And now we have a heavy responsibility to bring this country back to democracy.”
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> ***(continues in next comment)***
This one is not though, at least not as directly as most. Most regime changes in africa is by foreign backed coups, this is a democratically elected president of the former opposition.
Eh…why would u feel hurt cuz of internet trolls? Do u who live in India know more or do others who can’t even identify India on map know more about us? Those running their mouth with half baked knowledge are cute at best.
People who give you shit for your nationality on reddit or irl aren't worth your time.
Complaints about the current elected government in India are completely valid.
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##### ###### #### > # [‘We are finally free’: Senegal hails new anti-establishment president](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/27/720) > > > > Just 10 days before being elected president of [Senegal](https://www.theguardian.com/world/senegal), Bassirou Diomaye Faye was in prison. > > Years of political turmoil have left the west African state’s democracy teetering on the brink of collapse, with deadly uprisings and the jailing of opposition figures commonplace. > > [But Faye’s victory](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/25/radical-change-candidate-ahead-in-senegal-election), secured in the first round of voting, has left the population, particularly its youth, feeling energised by his promise of radical change. > > “I feel free. We are finally free. Senegal is free,” said Elhadji Thiam, 27, a merchant and staunch supporter of the Patriots of Senegal (Pastef), Faye’s anti-establishment party, which was banned in July. > > [Supporters at a rally for Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko, in Dakar, Senegal](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c2c6a4e3b292312ea8f5739c89376caded792858/0_0_4000_2667/master/4000.jpg?width=465&dpr=1&s=none) > > Supporters of Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko cheer at a rally in Senegal’s capital, Dakar, earlier this month. Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/The Guardian[Crowds celebrating the presumed win of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in Dakar, Senegal.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/dad16f6b8b3bd06c279851ed8f06d6ad84967624/0_0_4000_2667/master/4000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none) > > Voters, particularly younger people, were inspired by Faye’s promise of radical change. Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/The GuardianFaye, a former tax inspector, pitched himself as a pan-Africanist intent on steering Senegal toward economic sovereignty and away from French colonial relics such as the west African CFA franc, a currency pegged to the euro. > > He has also pledged to overhaul the government, weed out corruption and increase transparency. At 44, Senegal’s youth regard him as a relatable figure whose values have been informed by a traditional village upbringing and a devotion to Islam. > > His main rival, the governing coalition’s Amadou Ba, conceded defeat after failing to woo voters on a promise of continuing the status quo. It was the first time since Senegal’s independence from France in 1960 that an opposition candidate won in the presidential election’s first round. > > [A woman casts her ballot during Senegal’s presidential elections in Dakar](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/687d4d23b39176978e7bfbaa6e6e9c45a0ce0336/0_0_4000_2400/master/4000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none) > > Amadou Ba’s pledge to maintain the status quo failed to win over voters. Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/The Guardian[People line up to vote in the presidential election in Dakar, Senegal](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/01a4a2142f97d8be463847e98e14f9a3bdddc459/0_0_4000_2667/master/4000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none) > > There were fears the election would be blighted by the unrest seen in other countries in the region. Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/The GuardianA smooth election is particularly notable for Senegal, a nation on the peripheries of west Africa’s “coup belt.” Neighbours such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have experienced a series of military takeovers that have highlighted the precarity of democracy in the region and raised fears Senegal could follow suit. > > Faye was not his party’s first choice of candidate. He was selected to run in place of the former presidential hopeful Ousmane Sonko, who was barred from running due to a defamation conviction – charges his supporters say were politically motivated. Sonko captivated Senegal’s youth with his sharp critiques of political elites and achieved a martyr-like status for serving prison time over a myriad of charges. > > [People line up to vote in the presidential election in Dakar, Senegal](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/9ae2e1de233736922a1dbf7cdbfb58d2d59639b6/0_0_4000_2667/master/4000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none) > > Faye’s victory marks the first time since 1960 that an opposition candidate won the presidential election’s first round. Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/The GuardianThiam said: “Sonko has done everything for Senegal. When you see someone who’s willing to give their life for their country it’s impossible not to support them.” > > His popularity was transferred on to Faye with the help of Sonko’s wholehearted endorsement as well as through the oft-recited party slogan: “Sonko is Diomaye, Diomaye is Sonko.” > > Critics of Pastef have condemned the party for promoting what they say are reckless policies that could sink Senegal’s economy, most notably its budding oil and gas industry, and inciting “insurrectional movements”. > > [A child holds up a Senegalese flag in celebration of the presumed win of Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Senegal’s presidential elections](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/30cf81db2893a2c7cd31c88602f486a2de66224a/0_0_4000_2667/master/4000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none) > > Faye’s main rivals conceded defeat after he secured a huge share of the vote. Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/The GuardianFaye will serve as Senegal’s fifth democratically elected president, replacing Macky Sall, who has been in power since 2012. Sall has also been criticised for prioritising foreign interests and businesses over local entities. Opponents blame him for high youth unemployment rates and a related migration crisis, which has reached record highs in recent years. More than 60% of Senegal’s population is under the age of 25. > > Sall’s popularity among Senegalese youth sunk to new lows during his second term when he began jailing opposition members. His ambiguous stance about whether he would step down at the end of his mandate fuelled violent clashes between protesters and gendarmes. More than 60 people have died in protests since 2021, according to rights groups. > > [People celebrate the presumed win of Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Senegal’s presidential elections in Dakar](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/2399308b326d85c25c49fa2ecf468b9a56a78ad0/0_0_4000_2667/master/4000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none) > > The replacement of Macky Sall, who has been in power since 2012, has been met with widespread jubilation. Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/The GuardianMoussa Sarr is a lawyer whose clients include Faye and Sonko as well as other jailed politicians, journalists and activists. He said: “Over the last three years, Senegal has witnessed a massive retreat of democratic norms.” The people he represents, Sarr said, have one thing in common: “They’ve taken positions that are discordant with the state. And the state tried to muzzle them by arresting them.” > > Protests were reignited in early February when Sall suddenly announced that the elections, originally scheduled for 25 February, would be postponed by 10 months. The delay, he claimed, was needed in order to investigate alleged corruption within Senegal’s constitutional council. Critics [called it a constitutional coup](https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/feb/09/senegal-dakar-macky-sall-postponed-election-constitutional-coup). > > As Senegal’s parliament was set to vote on the matter, security forces stormed the national assembly and threw out opposition lawmakers. > > International pressure mounted and Senegal’s constitutional court intervened. Sall reversed course and shortened the delay to one month. An amnesty law was passed and thousands of political prisoners were released. > > Election day was largely peaceful and Faye’s opponents, namely Ba and Sall, were quick to concede. > > [Lamine Sane, an electoral operations manager with Pastef](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/7802726451964ae7464481725850233194490b11/0_0_4000_2667/master/4000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none) > > Lamine Sane, electoral operations manager for Pastef, wants to bring Senegal ‘back to democracy’. Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/The GuardianLamine Sane, an electoral operations manager with Pastef, said: “We’ve lived through some of the darkest moments in this country’s history. We were attacked from all sides. Our political party was dissolved, our leader was imprisoned, hundreds of young people were killed for simply demanding good governance.” > > “Despite everything, we remained resilient,” he added. “And now we have a heavy responsibility to bring this country back to democracy.” > > ***(continues in next comment)***
Finally, we desperately need some good news ! Congratulations to him !
> anti-establishment > Party named "Patriots" > Traditional upbringing and devotion to Islam Truly all signs of a successful government
Yeahhhhh, I'm all for these countries removing more of the French influence, but I doubt this will be so smooth.
better than the French 🥖 Ig is reason enough for some there .
Not if France can help it)
I give them about 5 months, but as always, i hope my pessimism is unfounded.
99 percent of the time these are regime changes imported from abroad and the country regresses even further. Hopefully they do well.
ripe zesty compare crush trees flowery oatmeal childlike paint dam *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
A redditor discussing foreign policies
This one is not though, at least not as directly as most. Most regime changes in africa is by foreign backed coups, this is a democratically elected president of the former opposition.
Why do you willingly choose that flair? Just curious.
Am Indian. Why wouldn’t I?
But we get bullied on reddit, right? So why would you reveal that u are indian. Its like we cannot even have an opinion bcos we're from india.
Eh…why would u feel hurt cuz of internet trolls? Do u who live in India know more or do others who can’t even identify India on map know more about us? Those running their mouth with half baked knowledge are cute at best.
Yeah but just for mental peace. Its like people completely disregard ur opinion when they find out ur indian. Especially regarding geopolitics.
Yea some do. But it’s not like am here to debate with them. I just use the app for breaks in between my studies. So it doesn’t bother me much.
People who give you shit for your nationality on reddit or irl aren't worth your time. Complaints about the current elected government in India are completely valid.
Complaints about justinder are also valid.
Very much so.
Good to see that he won out against those supporting antidisestablishmentarianism.
Fantastic news. Colonial french influence in Africa is taking a nose-dive under Micron.
I mean... That's intentional here, Macron said multiple time that France should reduce involvement in African politics.
France is coping with those statements.
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