Senegal: Faye Appoints Ousmane Sonko As Prime Minister

By Henry Nwaneri

Preceding his successful inauguration as Senegal’s new President on Tuesday, Bassirou Faye made a prompt decision by announcing Ousmane Sonko as his prime minister.

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Sonko, 49, a prominent opponent of former President Macky Sall, has long been a figurehead for the nation’s youth and garnered significant support despite being barred from the March 24 presidential election due to a defamation conviction, which he vehemently denied.

Sonko was detained in prison alongside President Faye a few months before the election, a move many believed was politically motivated.

Under the rallying cry of “Diomaye is Sonko,” he urged supporters to back Faye, who ultimately clinched victory with an impressive 54% of the vote in the first round of elections.

President Faye’s prompt decision in announcing Sonko as his prime minister signals a systemic change after years of deadly turmoil under his predecessor, Macky Sall, a political opponent of Sonko, and also a commitment to inclusivity and embracing diverse political voices in his administration.

In response to his appointment, Sonko expressed his determination to support President Faye fully, stating his intention to present a comprehensive list of proposed ministerial appointments for Faye’s approval.

“There will be no question of leaving him (Faye) alone to assume this heavy responsibility,” Sonko said, underlining his commitment to working closely with the president to address the nation’s challenges and delivering on their campaign promises to the Senegalese people.