2024-04-04 08:23:56
Job creation, “strengthened” democracy, fight once morest corruption, audit of mining companies… The new Senegalese president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, revealed the future directions of his mandate on Wednesday during his first speech to the nation, 24 hours following taking the oath.
Published on: 04/04/2024 – 10:23 Modified on: 04/04/2024 – 15:42
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The youngest president in the history of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, recently elected head of the country, revealed on Wednesday April 3 the main directions of his policy during the traditional speech to the nation delivered on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of independence.
“I pay tribute to each and every one of you for your attachment to the cardinal virtues of peace and democracy which underpin our daily experience,” began the fifth Senegalese president, saluting “the vitality” of the country’s democracy following weeks of crisis politics triggered by Macky Sall’s postponement of the presidential election.
Read alsoPresidential election in Senegal: the untold story of an election canceled, postponed then brought forward
“President Bassirou Faye is beginning to inhabit the function just as the function is in the process of inhabiting him,” estimates Maurice Soudieck Dione, associate professor of political science at Gaston Berger University in Saint-Louis, who highlights an innovation in the form of speech to the nation.
“We saw a president who walked towards the lectern. This innovation is symptomatic of a process of reconnection with the people. The president walks towards the people and at the same time the people can come towards the president,” analyzes the political scientist.
“Solutions once morest the high cost of living”
After honoring the memory of veterans, “who sacrificed their youth […] at the cost of their lives and their freedom”, the co-founder of Pastef and former tax inspector got to the heart of the matter with the burning question of the cost of living.
“The Senegalese are brave, but they are tired and expect from us solutions once morest the high cost of living. The question of the cost of living particularly concerns me and commands my full attention,” declared Bassirou Diomaye Faye. “In the days to come, strong measures will be taken in this direction, following the consultations that I will undertake with the stakeholders concerned.”
Rent, electricity, food… Senegal is considered one of the countries in West Africa where the cost of living is the highest. With inflation reaching a rate of 9.7% in 2022, many Senegalese are struggling to make ends meet.
See alsoSenegal: the major economic projects of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye
The new president also promised to focus on education and youth employment. In Senegal, more than 75% of the population is under 35 years old. Even graduates, many of them have difficulty entering the job market.
“I will make it a high priority for public policies, in consultation with the private sector. To this end, we must revisit existing mechanisms, improve and rationalize them so that they better respond to employment needs and other income-generating activities. income for young people.”
Reform of institutions
Beyond socio-economic issues, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who campaigned on the theme of transparency in public life, indicated that he wanted to pursue “a bold policy of good economic governance”, “fight relentlessly once morest corruption” or even “protecting whistleblowers”.
The new Senegalese president has once once more committed to reforming institutions for “a strengthened democracy”. Among the projects mentioned in his speech, a reform of justice and the electoral system and “the rationalization of the number of political parties, as well as their financing”.
Read alsoSenegal: what role for Ousmane Sonko with future president Bassirou Diomaye Faye?
“The president also assured that every citizen aged 18 will be automatically registered on the electoral lists because they are currently under-represented while they also have their say. This will encourage citizens of voting age to be able to vote. do it,” says Maurice Soudieck Dione.
Faithful to the “pan-Africanist ideal”, Bassirou Diomaye Faye also pleaded for “the achievement of the objectives of the African continental free trade area” and called for “a fairer and more inclusive global governance”.
Audit of mining companies
On the other hand, the 44-year-old former opponent, elected on a promise of rupture and a sovereignist program, did not explicitly return to his desire, displayed during the campaign, to leave the CFA Franc.
“The issue was, however, subtly raised in this speech which focused on regional strengthening through institutions such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) or the Western Economic and Monetary Union. -African (UEMOA). It is from this perspective that monetary questions will be asked, discussed and resolved”, explains Maurice Soudieck Dione.
Finally, at the end of a concise and summary speech lasting around fifteen minutes, the new head of state affirmed that he will initiate an audit of the oil, gas and mining sectors while reassuring investors on the fact that they are “welcome” to the country.
Also readInauguration of the new Senegalese president: what challenges for Bassirou Diomaye Faye?
“The exploitation of our natural resources, which belong to the people, will receive special attention from my government,” he said. “I will proceed with the disclosure of the beneficial ownership of the extraction companies (and) an audit of the state of the finances of these companies.”
Senegal’s first offshore oil project is expected to begin production in mid-2024. The Sangomar project, operated by Australian company Woodside Energy, is expected to produce around 100,000 barrels of oil per day.
It now remains to put into music the major directions announced by President Faye. A task devolved to the loyal companion and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko responsible for forming a government. His announcement might come “on Saturday at the latest”, predicts Maurice Soudieck Dione, “so that the work can start on Monday”.
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