The winner of the presidential election in Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, assured Monday that his country would remain
the “safe and reliable ally” of all
“respectful”
foreign partners
, during his first public appearance since the announcement of his historic victory .
Mr. Faye, who turned 44 on Monday, released from prison only ten days ago, presented himself as the
“choice of rupture”
.
He will become the fifth and youngest president of this West African country of 18 million inhabitants after the recognition on Monday by his main opponent of his success in the first round of the presidential election, which amounts to a political earthquake.
Three priority projects
“I would like to say to the international community, to our bilateral and multilateral partners that Senegal will always hold its place, it will remain the friendly country and the safe and reliable ally of any partner who will engage with us in virtuous, respectful cooperation and mutually productive
,” he said in a statement to the press.
On the domestic front, he indicated that his
“priority projects”
would be
“national reconciliation”
,
“the rebuilding of institutions”
and
“a significant reduction in the cost of living”.
“I am committed to governing with humility, transparency, and fighting corruption at all levels
,” he declared.
In twelve presidential elections based on universal suffrage, this is the first time that an opposition candidate has won in the first round.
An event all the more striking since the victory, apparently motivated by an appetite for change if not a break after difficult years, was announced on a large scale.
The election was closely followed abroad, with Senegal considered one of the most stable countries in West Africa shaken by putsch.
Dakar maintains strong relations with the West, while Russia strengthens its surrounding positions.
The certainty of Mr. Faye's victory triggered scenes of jubilation among his supporters in the capital and in Casamance (south) on Sunday evening
.