Government hails Senegal’s youngest ever President on elections victory
THE Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini extended its heartfelt congratulations to Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his victory in the recent Senegalese Presidential elections. President Faye, at the age of 44, has become the youngest leader to assume the helm of the West African nation.
The congratulatory message, conveyed by Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini on behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, the Government, and the People of Eswatini, expressed profound felicitations to President Faye on his electoral triumph.
“I have it in command by His Majesty King Mswati III to extend our heartfelt congratulations on behalf of His Majesty, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, the Government and the People of the Kingdom of Eswatini, to H.E Bassirou Diomaye Faye on emerging victorious in the Senegal Presidential election,” the Prime Minister’s message read.
Furthermore, the Kingdom of Eswatini reiterated its confidence in President Faye’s leadership, expressing optimism that Senegal will continue to flourish under his stewardship.
“The Kingdom of Eswatini remains confident that as you embark on your new term in office, the Republic of Senegal will continue to prosper and make significant strides towards peace, stability, and development and that you will steer the nation to even greater heights,” the message continued.
Highlighting the enduring friendship between the two nations, the Prime Minister emphasized Eswatini’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Senegal for the mutual benefit of both peoples.
“In joining the Senegalese Nation in this joyous occasion, we express our firm belief that the cordial relations that exist between our Nations will continue to be enhanced and strengthened for the benefit of our People,” the Prime Minister concluded.
About Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye
According to media reports, Faye has been thrust into the centre of Senegalese politics more than a week after he was released from prison along with his firebrand mentor Ousmane Sonko, who was disqualified from standing in the election because of a defamation conviction.
The 44-year-old leader contested the elections as an independent due to the dissolution of his Patriots of Senegal (PASTEF) party last July for causing unrest. The PASTEF party, which was founded by Sonko in 2014, endorsed Faye.
The left-wing populist has been organising protests against President Macky Sall accusing his government of corruption and failing to address chronic poverty. Sall’s decision to extend the elections originally scheduled for February triggered the latest round of political crisis.
The elections were held after the intervention of the Constitutional Court.
Faye was born in 1980 in west-central Senegal’s Ndiaganiao.
He met Sonko while working as a tax inspector in the government’s taxes and estates department, where they were instrumental in the formation of a union.