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Senegal swears in Africa’s youngest elected leader as president in a dramatic prison-to-palace rise

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DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegal inaugurated Africa’s youngest elected leader as president on Tuesday, as the 44-year-old and previously little-known Bassirou Diomaye Faye completed a dramatic ascent from prison to palace within weeks.

Last month’s election tested Senegal’s reputation as a stable democracy in West Africa, a region rocked in recent years by coups and attempted coups.

BASSIROU DIOMAYE FAYE EMERGES AS SENEGAL’S NEXT PRESIDENT AFTER CONTENTIOUS ELECTION CYCLE

Faye was released from prison less than two weeks before the vote, along with mentor and popular opposition figure Ousmane Sonko, following a political amnesty announced by outgoing President Macky Sall. Their arrests had sparked months of protests and concerns that Sall would seek a third term in office despite term limits. Rights groups said dozens were killed and about 1,000 were jailed.

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Bassirou Diomaye Faye is sworn in as Senegal’s president in Dakar, Senegal, Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Senegal has sworn in Bassirou Diomaye Faye as its new president, completing the previously little-known opposition figure’s dramatic ascent from prison to the palace in recent weeks. Faye was released from prison less than two weeks before the March election following a political amnesty announced by the outgoing president.  (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

In his first speech as president, Faye remembered those killed and arrested during the protests and promised to deliver greater sovereignty for Senegal while working to build prosperity.

«I am aware that the results of the elections express a profound desire for systemic change,» he said.

This is the first elected office for Faye, a former tax inspector. His rise has reflected widespread frustration among Senegal’s youth with the country’s direction — a common sentiment across Africa, which has the world’s youngest population and a number of leaders widely accused of clinging to power for decades.

«It’s the culmination of a long struggle for democracy and the rule of law,» said Aissata Sagna, a 39-year-old factory worker who worked on Faye’s campaign. «This is a day of celebration for us, even if we have lost young people killed during the demonstrations.»

Unemployment rates are high. The war in Ukraine has helped drive up the price of food and energy. Like residents of other former French colonies, Senegalese are increasingly disaffected with France, often accused of exploiting its longstanding ties with West Africa.

Faye campaigned on promises to clean up corruption. Ahead of the election, he released a declaration of his assets and called on other candidates to do the same. It listed a home in Dakar and land outside the capital and in his small hometown. His bank accounts totaled roughly $6,600. A practicing Muslim, Faye has two wives, both of whom were present on Tuesday.

«I think the first challenge is the formation of his (Faye’s) government,» said Alioune Tine, founder of the Senegalese think tank Afrikajom Center. «This will be the first concrete message he sends to the Senegalese people. The size, diversity and profiles will be analyzed with a fine-tooth comb to see if they meet the demand for a break with the past.»

Allies are closely watching Faye’s economic policies following his promise to improve the management of natural resources. Senegal has made new oil and gas discoveries in recent years, but the population has yet to see any real benefit. Analysts warn, however, that renegotiating deals could turn investors off.

The new president was little known until Sonko, a popular opposition figure who came third in the previous election in 2019, named him to run in his place after being barred from the election for a prior conviction. While Sonko’s future role in the new administration is unclear, he is expected to have a prominent role.

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Faye was arrested for alleged defamation last year, while Sonko faced a number of charges, including a prolonged legal battle that started when he was accused of rape in 2021. He was acquitted of the rape charges but was convicted of corrupting youth and sentenced to two years in prison last year. Sonko’s supporters say his legal troubles were part of a government effort to derail his candidacy.

While Sall eventually ruled out running for a third term, he abruptly postponed the election in February with only weeks to go, triggering another wave of protests. That move was blocked by the country’s constitutional court.

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Australian surfer saved by off-duty police officer after shark ripped off leg, doctors hope to reattach it

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Kai McKenzie, 23, was surfing off New South Wales in Australia when he was attacked by a shark, New South Wales police said. 

«Clinging to life, he was able to catch a wave back to the beach,» a fundraising site set up for McKenzie said. «A retired police officer used his dog’s lead as a tourniquet to stem the bleeding before the victim could be airlifted to hospital.»

Amazingly, McKenzie’s leg washed up on the beach after the attack and doctors are hoping to be able to reattach it. 

McKenzie has undergone surgery and remains in critical but stable condition, according to ABC News Australia and the fundraising site. 

MASSIVE BULL SHARK WEIGHING NEARLY 500 POUNDS CAUGHT AT ALABAMA FISHING TOURNAMENT

Kai McKenzie, 23, was surfing off New South Wales in Australia when he was attacked by a shark, New South Wales police said.  (NSW Police)

Luke Short, who makes McKenzie’s surfboards, told ABC they had all hoped «we heard it wrong.»

«It’s amazing that he’s survived,» he added. 

His surf team RAGE called McKenzie the «toughest person we know.»

«Sending love to @kai_mckenzie the youngest RAGE boy on the team and the toughest person that we know,» the team wrote on Instagram this week. «Yesterday he was attacked by a shark and has lost his leg while surfing in Port Macquarie. He has been through a lot breaking his back last year, he never once complained always just got on with doing what he loved as soon as possible. He is an inspiring person. The whole rage gang loves you man and we will see you soon.»

SHARK BITE REPORTED AT HILTON HEAD ISLAND RESORT IS FIRST REPORTED SHARK BI OF YEAR ON ISLAND

great white

«Clinging to life, he was able to catch a wave back to the beach,» a fundraising site set up for McKenzie said. «A retired police officer used his dog’s lead as a tourniquet to stem the bleeding before the victim could be airlifted to hospital.» (Reinhard Dirscherl/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

Kirran Mowbray of NSW Ambulance called McKenzie «courageous» during a 7News Sydney on-air broadcast. «He turned around, caught a wave into shore.»

She added that the off-duty officer «used the lead off a dog as a tourniquet to wrap around the young man’s leg and essentially saved his life.»

Kevin Young, vice president of Bite Club, a shark attack survivors club, told the broadcast: «And I know he lost a leg and they packed it with ice and they’re going down to try to reattach it. That just blows my brain that that might be possible.» 

Mid North Coast Police Chief Insp. Stuart Campbell said they would be working to try to find out what type of shark bit McKenzie. 

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Port Macquarie Hastings Lifeguards later reported the beach had reopened after the attack. 


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