Bassirou Diomaye Faye biography
Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye (born 25 March 1980) is a Senegalese politician and former tax inspector who is the President-elect of Senegal. He is the former general secretary of dissolved PASTEF and won the 2024 Senegalese presidential election in place of disqualified candidate Ousmane Sonko.
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Bassirou Diomaye Faye
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 Faye in 2024
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| President-elect of Senegal | |
| Assuming office 2 April 2024 |
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| Succeeding | Macky Sall |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 March 1980 Ndiaganiao, Senegal |
| Political party | PASTEF |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | National School of Administration |
Faye was born on March 25, 1980 in Ndiaganiao, in the western department of M’Bour, Senegal
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. 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.
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Initially a guest when the party was founded, Faye swiftly ascended to become one of the most prominent figures within the party. 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. 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
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. 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.
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. 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. Cheikh Tidiane Dieye, another candidate in the presidential election, withdrew in favor of Faye.
During the presidential campaign, he has promised to create jobs, campaigned strongly against corruption, and vowed to reexamine energy contracts. He ran 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. Faye’s program is similar with Sonko’s for 2019. During the campaign, Faye released a declaration of his assets and called on other candidates to follow suit.
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.
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. 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. He also expressed his willingness to release Sonko, Faye and all their supporters as an act of good faith. In the end of February, the government tabled an amnesty bill to calm the social and political climate. Several hundred political prisoners were released by the government, and on 14 March, days before the election, Sonko and Faye were released from prison
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. He also vowed to fight “French economic stranglehold” over Senegal if elected.
Constitutional reforms
Faye has promised to reduce presidential powers and reintroduce the vice presidency.
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.”
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.” In a press conference, he added: “There’s no sovereignty if there is no monetary sovereignty.” 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.”
Energy
Faye believes in the renegotiation of contracts between the government and corporations in sectors ranging from energy and mining to fishing. He has also pledged to equally distribute profits out of a gasfield that is expected to start production in 2024.
Military
Faye aims to enhance the reputation and integrity of the defense and security forces through a concerted effort to combat corruption and inefficiency. This initiative seeks to ensure the optimal utilization of resources by implementing programs aimed at boosting the morale, motivation, and oversight of officers. Additionally, there’s a commitment to raise the salaries of lower-ranking personnel. His program pledges to uphold the core identity of the Armed Forces of Senegal by advocating for a return to military principles, preventing their involvement in political affairs. Furthermore, the plan includes bolstering the air capabilities of the army through the procurement of strategic transport aircraft, such as the C130, to fulfill external commitments effectively.
Judicial
Faye believes there should be no ties between the executive and the judiciary. His plan involves transitioning from a Constitutional Council to a Constitutional Court, positioning it as the apex of the judicial structure. Additionally, in a bid to enhance accountability and fortify oversight mechanisms, he proposes abolishing political funds and substituting them with special funds allocated by the National Assembly for critical operations, such as arms procurement and clandestine missions. Furthermore, legislation will be introduced to safeguard whistleblowers, aligning with the principles outlined in the law on transparency in public finance management
Faye is polygamous and has two wives: Marie Khone Faye, a Christian, and Absa Faye, a Muslim. Marie Khone is a close relative of her husband, and together they have had four children: three boys and a girl. He has not had any children with Absa. Faye and Ousmane Sonko are close friends, even naming one his sons Ousmane in honor of their friendship
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