The meteoric ascent of Bassirou Diomaye Faye culminates a turbulent era in Senegalese politics that took many by surprise.
The week prior to the presidential election, the pair—who had spent months in prison with supporter and kingmaker Ousmane Sonko—were unexpectedly released.
Now, the man known by his moniker, Mr. Clean, needs to start implementing the extensive changes he has pledged.
It’s common to characterize the tax collector, who turns 44 on Monday, as “methodical” and “modest”.
Mr. Faye says he goes back every Sunday to work the farm in Ndiaganiao, where he grew up in a rural area.
His profound mistrust of Senegal’s elites is equal to his admiration and affection for village life.
Critics dispute his lack of expertise because he was never a politician or minister, according to analyst Alioune Tine, who speaks to the news.
“But, from Faye’s point of view, the insiders who’ve run the country since 1960 have made some catastrophic failures.”
Mr. Faye’s key priorities include combating corruption, injustice, and poverty. He formed a union taskforce to combat graft with Mr. Sonko while they were employed at the Treasury.
