Senegal President Faye appoints ally Sonko as prime minister

Senegal President Faye appoints ally Sonko as prime minister

Senegalese opposition presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye (C) gestures next to Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko (L) as they acknowledge the crowd of supporters gathering at the Caroline Faye Stadium in Mbour, on March 22, 2024 for the closing rally of the presidential campaign. (Photo by MARCO LONGARI / AFP)

New Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Tuesday appointed firebrand politician and key backer Ousmane Sonko as prime minister in his first act as president.

Sonko, an opponent of former President Macky Sall, is popular among the West African nation's youth but was barred from the March 24 presidential election due to a defamation conviction. He denied any wrongdoing.

Campaigning jointly under the slogan "Diomaye is Sonko," Sonko urged supporters to vote for his top lieutenant, Faye, who ultimately won with over 54% of the vote in the first round.

Faye was inaugurated on Tuesday.

Speaking after his appointment, Sonko said he would present Faye with a full list of proposed ministerial appointments for his approval.

"There will be no question of leaving him (Faye) alone to assume this heavy responsibility", Sonko said.

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Citizen TV Citizen Digital President Ousmane Sonko Bassirou Diomaye Faye

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