Bassirou Diomaye Faye (born 25 March 1980) is a Senegalese politician and former tax inspector

who is the President-elect of Senegal.[1] He is the former general secretary of dissolved PASTEF and
won the 2024 Senegalese presidential election in place of disqualified candidate Ousmane Sonko.[2]

Early life

Faye was born in 1980 in Ndiaganiao, in the western department of M'Bour, Senegal.[1]

Education and early career

In 2000, Faye earned his baccalaureate. He successfully attained a master's degree in law and
subsequently cleared both competitive exams, enrolling at the National School of Administration
(ENA) and the magistracy in 2004. After graduation, Faye opted to become a tax inspector in the Tax
and Estates department, where he befriended Sonko, a fellow alum from the same school.[1] In
2014, Faye and Sonko's relationship grew closer in the Taxes and Estates Union, created by Sonko,
the leader of newly founded PASTEF. During his time at the head of the union, Faye campaigned to
facilitate homeownership for tax and property agents.[2]

Political career

Initially a guest when the party was founded, Faye swiftly ascended to become one of the most
prominent figures within the party.[1] He would go on to become one of the ideologues and
designers of Sonko's program for his candidacy in the 2019 Senegalese presidential election. Sonko
gained almost 16% of the vote and came third.[2] In February 2021, Faye became the general
secretary of PASTEF after Sonko was arrested, being accused of repeated rape by a massage parlor
employee. As part of its strategy to win power, Faye attempted to unite the opposition for the 2022
elections, winning 56 seats under the alliance Liberate the People.[2]

Presidential campaign

After uncertainty over the possibility of Sonko being a candidate in the presidential election, PASTEF
endorsed Faye in November 2023 as its candidate for the 2024 presidential election, despite him
being detained. However, PASTEF had been dissolved several months earlier, meaning he was
running as an independent.[3] On 20 January 2024, the Senegalese Constitutional Council published
the final list of candidates for the presidential election and Sonko did not appear there after several
legal battles. Faye's candidacy was validated because he was never convicted although remaining
detained. Sonko quickly announced his support to Faye for the election.[4]

On 15 March 2024, a day after Faye's release from jail, he gathered hundreds of supporters at his
first public appearance as a presidential contender.[5] Former president Abdoulaye Wade and his
Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) endorsed Faye on the same day, in a boost to his chances of
winning election. The move came after PDS candidate, Karim Wade, was disqualified from contesting
the race because he was a dual citizen at the time he submitted his candidacy.[6] Cheikh Tidiane
Dieye, another candidate in the presidential election, withdrew in favor of Faye.[7]
During the presidential campaign, he has promised to create jobs, campaigned strongly against
corruption, and vowed to reexamine energy contracts.[8] He is running under the slogan "Diomaye
mooy Ousmane", which means "Diomaye is Ousmane" in Wolof, and is hoping Sonko's charisma and
popular appeal amongst Senegal's youth will boost his campaign.[9] Faye's program is similar with
Sonko's for 2019.[2]

Imprisonment and release

On 14 April 2023, Faye was apprehended as he exited his tax and property office on Rue de Thiong in
Dakar. Subsequently, he was placed under police custody for charges including "spreading false
news, contempt of court, and defamation of a constituted body" following a social media post he
made. In this post, he denounced the perceived injustice within the judicial system, foreseeing a
verdict that could potentially disqualify Sonko in a legal dispute between PASTEF and the Minister of
Tourism, Mame Mbaye Niang. As the situation progressed, additional charges of "incitement to
insurrection" and "undermining state security" were brought against him, resulting in an indefinite
period of detention.[2]

After an attempt by incumbent president Macky Sall in February to postpone the elections citing
unresolved disputes over who could run, widespread protests occurred and the Constitutional
Council overturned the postponement.[10] In response to the protests and overturn Sall said that he
would leave office as scheduled on 2 April, setting the date on March 24.[11] He also expressed his
willingness to release Sonko, Faye and all their supporters as an act of good faith.[12] In the end of
February, the government tabled an amnesty bill to calm the social and political climate.[13] Several
hundred political prisoners were released by the government,[14] and on 14 March, days before the
election, Sonko and Faye were released from prison.[15]

Political positions

Faye says he believes in system change and left-wing pan-Africanism to reclaim Senegal's
sovereignty, a rhetoric some analysts believe is an allusion to intentions to distance the country from
Western powers, especially former colonial ruler France.[9] He also vowed to fight "French economic
stranglehold" over Senegal if elected.[2]

Constitutional reforms

Faye has promised to reduce presidential powers and reintroduce the vice presidency.[16]

Corruption

Faye has prioritized fighting political corruption if he is elected president, saying: "No country can
develop when corruption and embezzlement of public funds are endemic."[8]
Currency

Faye wants to implement a monetary reform to finance the economy of Senegal, removing the CFA
franc. In his program, he states: "We will carry out a monetary reform that will allow our country to
have its own currency."[1] In a press conference, he added: "There's no sovereignty if there is no
monetary sovereignty."[17] After concern from foreign investors, he walked back the promise in
March 2023, saying that "Senegal will seek to implement a reform of the CFA franc at a regional level
first and if that fails, will consider creating a national currency."[17]

Energy