Nairobi,
Tuesday, 2 April, 2024
McCreadie Andias
President William Ruto has send his warm congratulations to new Senegalese President, 44 Year old Bassirou Diomaye Faye who took an oath into office on Tuesday afternoon.
President Ruto vowed to work with Faye in ensuring Kenya and Senegal ties are strengthened.
“Congratulations Bassirou Diomaye Faye on your decisive election victory. Your visionary leadership is inspiring and sets an unmatched example for emerging leaders. As you assume office today, we undertake to working with you to escalate Kenya-Senegal ties for our shared prosperity.”Ruto took into his X account.
Faye who was once a jailed opposition leader will now serve as the West African nation’s fifth and youngest president ever, promising to restore stability and bring economic progress.
The 44-year-old former tax inspector defeated Amadou Ba, the candidate of outgoing President Macky Sall’s ruling coalition, by a landslide in the first round of voting, reflecting high hopes for change in the country of around 18 million.
“The results of the election showed a profound desire for change,” Faye said after taking the oath of office at a ceremony he attended with his two wives.
Over a dozen heads of state and regional representatives attended the inauguration, including Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo and African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat.
“Senegal will be a country of hope, at peace, with an independent justice system and a stronger democracy,” Faye said, promising to manage affairs ethically and to build the economy.
“I will work towards preserving peace and national cohesion and make sure we preserve our most cherished resource, our national stability,” Faye said.
Expectations are high as Faye, relatively inexperienced in government affairs, becomes president of a young population frustrated with rising living costs and a lack of jobs in a country set to become an oil and gas producer this year.
The new president has vowed to tackle corruption and introduce a series of economic reforms to prioritise national interests, including the re-negotiation of oil, gas and mineral contracts with foreign operators.