Bassirou Diomaye Faye

A breakaway president in search of a new model.

​​​​​​​Senegal's presidential election on 24 March was, despite all the ups and downs, an act of democratic faith. A rare occurrence in Africa. The election also marked a profound generational, social and political shift. The rejection of a traditional, ‘liberal’, ‘westernised’ elite in favour of a new, young team that reflects the real country. A team determined to meet the demands of a country waiting for a genuine social revolution. The new president Bassirou Diomaye Faye (44) and his mentor Ousmane Sonko (49), now Prime Minister, are children of Senegal's meritocracy. And their supporters want to believe that a new country is possible, that promises are not just dreams or speeches. So change is needed, without hitting the wall of economic and strategic realities. It must prove that another way is possible for a complex and fragile Senegal that is difficult to govern. Something avant-garde is at stake in Dakar, in this attempt to change the times, to give new meaning to the words ‘independence’ and ‘governance’.​​​​​​​