Senegal’s newly-inaugurated President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has appointed Ousmane Sonko as prime minister, marking his first act in office.
Sonko, 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.
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.
Following his inauguration on Tuesday, President Faye wasted no time in announcing Sonko as his prime minister, signaling 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 affirmed, underlining his commitment to working closely with the president to address the nation’s challenges and deliver on their promises to the Senegalese people.
Chioma Kalu
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