Diomaye Faye: The life and wives of Africa's youngest president

Yet boosted by the support of his close friend Ousmane Sonko, whose disqualification from the contest initially propelled Faye to contention, and fueled by the backing of other contestants who subtly withdrew their bids, Faye cruised to victory, becoming Senegal's fifth president.

At 44, he is also the country's youngest president in history.

Unique traits

The new president brings with him a raft of unique traits, making for interesting scrutiny, and giving plenty of fodder to political pundits.

He has never contested before for any elective position. He was in prison just days before he galloped to this victory. He is said to have been greatly opposed to political discourse in his school days, and the actual moment his transformation occurred cannot be pointed out. And he ushers in two first ladies into the state house, which is unprecedented in the country.

Born on March 25, 1980, to a farming family in central-western Senegal, Faye grew up "studious, loyal, curious and sometimes stubborn," according to The New York Times, "rooted in Senegalese traditions and his Islamic faith, with a deep understanding of the predicament facing his country's legion of frustrated youth."

His family talks about him with glowing admiration, waxing lyrical about a man whose uptick in political fortunes has been phenomenal, tremendous even.

"Bassirou grew up in an environment where people fight for other people's rights," Diomaye Faye, his uncle, says of his nephew, according to the New York Times. Faye's father Samba Ndiagne Faye, 92, describes his son as "young in years, but not in his intelligence and behaviour."

Deeply rooted in social values and committed to his peers' well-being, Faye has shown a great ability to forge friendships and thrive in partnerships, the very thing that is responsible for his current star status.

It was his defence of his persecuted ally Ousmane Sonko, a political firebrand with great charisma, that saw Faye thrown in jail. And it was this loyalty that was rewarded by Sonko, suddenly making Faye a household name overnight where the electorate had never heard his name.

Not his closest allies or nemeses saw this coming.

Gaggle of children

Faye was raised in Ndiaganiao, an unspectacular parched village in the west of the country. He "grew up in a house occupied by more than 10 adults and a gaggle of children he ran around with, according to his uncle," The New York Times writes. He was an avid reader, it says.

President William Bassirou Diomaye Faye (centre) and his wives Marie Khone Faye and Absa Faye. [Courtesy]

When Sonko, in 2014, decided to found a political party, African Patriots of Senegal for Labor, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF) Faye joined. He steadily climbed up the ranks to the executive leadership level. It was this party that Sonko used, in Senegal's 2019 presidential election, as a vehicle to run for the presidency. He placed third as incumbent Sall was reelected.

PASTEF was dissolved on July 31, 2023, by the government, which cited the party's alleged orchestration and propagation of violent protests, most notably in 2021.

As such, even as the leadership of the crushed party sought to present candidates for the 2024 elections, they knew the only way they could present their favoured competitor was on an independent ticket.

In his campaign trail, where the name Sonko rang among enthusiastic voters, little-known Faye promised radical change for a country he speaks about with a fiery passion, and reiterated his promise during the inauguration at an exhibition centre in Diamniadio. Local media reported that some voters went to the polls still declaring support for Sonko, and insisting it was he that they were voting in, with Faye but a pseudo for the more famous man.

"Before God and the Senegalese nation, I swear to faithfully fulfil the office of president of the Republic of Senegal," Faye said during his inauguration. "Under my leadership, Senegal will be a country of hope, a peaceful country with an independent judiciary and a strengthened democracy."

He also promised to restore national sovereignty over key assets, and called for foreign trade partners to actively engage Senegal in agreements "that respect our sovereignty and meet the aspirations of our people, in a mutually beneficial partnership".

He had only seen freedom ten days before his monumental victory, being among a group of political opponents freed under an amnesty announced by his immediate predecessor, Sall.

Flashes smile

But he now swaggers about in his neatly woven boubou and flashes a discreet smile from a rather gentle, shy face as president of a country of about 20 million, and the world recognizes him thus.

"I congratulate Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his election as the next president of Senegal. And, I send warm wishes to the Senegalese people, who have demonstrated that the right to vote - and have that vote counted - remains democracy's threshold liberty," a statement from The White House, on behalf of President Joe Biden, read.

"Congratulations Bassirou Diomaye Faye on your decisive election victory. Your visionary leadership is inspiring and sets an unmatched example for emerging leaders. As you assume office today, we undertake to work with you to escalate Kenya-Senegal ties for our shared prosperity," wrote President William Ruto on X, formerly Twitter.

As he embarks on what could be a tough journey to unite a polarized Senegal and to reignite national pride where it had faded, the 44-year-old political sensation has his work cut out for him. He carries many firsts, however, and could bring an authentic style of leadership that sets his country on a path of prosperity.

With the backing of his friend Sonko, and of other stalwarts that see a new Senegal in him, he could yet be among the crop of young global leaders that are slowly pushing out the old guard and cementing their legacies already.