DAKAR: President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal has appointed a new government packed with fresh faces in key positions, signaling a departure from the political status quo following his landslide victory in last month’s elections.
At 44 years old, Faye, who had never held elected office before, clinched a decisive first-round win by promising sweeping reforms, making him the youngest leader in the country’s history.
Faye appears poised to collaborate closely with his appointed Prime Minister and former mentor, Ousmane Sonko, who played a key role in facilitating the political newcomer’s ascent to power.
On Friday, Sonko revealed a 25-member cabinet, emphasizing its departure from previous administrations. “The government set up here on April 5 is a breakaway government… that embodies the project, a systemic transformation voted for by the Senegalese people,” Sonko stated.
Sonko, aged 49, led Senegal’s anti-establishment movement but threw his support behind Faye during the presidential race after being disqualified from running himself due to a defamation conviction.
Among the notable appointments, Birame Souleye Diop has been named as the energy minister, a critical position in light of Senegal’s upcoming oil and gas production, scheduled to commence in 2024. Ousmane Diagne, a former public prosecutor at the Dakar Court of Appeal, assumes the role of justice minister.
The newly formed government also features four women, who have been entrusted with portfolios ranging from foreign affairs to fisheries, family and youth, and culture.
Senegal confronts a myriad of challenges, including an official unemployment rate of 20 percent. Sonko outlined the government’s priorities, highlighting initiatives to address youth unemployment, reduce living costs, and safeguard human rights.
