A little over two weeks ago, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, an opposition leader who had never held elected office and was being imprisoned without accusation or trial, was a little-known man sitting in jail.
He defeated Amadou Ba, the nominee of the ruling party, in the nation’s presidential election a week ago, garnering 54% of the vote in the first round.
The 44-year-old will take office as Senegal’s fifth president and the continent’s youngest elected head of state on Tuesday when he is sworn in.
His win gives optimism to young people who are dissatisfied with the lack of economic possibilities in an area where the majority of people are under 30 and where the old elites appear to be holding onto power.
The amazing ascent of Mr. Faye.
