Freed from jail, Senegal opposition presidential candidate draws hundreds to first event

After being released from jail, Senegal opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye made his first public appearance as a presidential candidate on Friday for the upcoming March 24 elections. He gathered hundreds of supporters and made promises to address issues of corruption in the country.

Standing beside Faye was the influential opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who urged supporters to vote for his ally in the upcoming election.

Sonko, who was also released from prison recently, emphasized the importance of winning the election and not wasting any more time during a joint news briefing.

Sonko, who was considered the primary challenger to President Macky Sall’s ruling party, threw his support behind Faye after being disqualified due to a defamation conviction that he believes was politically motivated.

Support for President Sall has declined during his second term, and with Sall not eligible for re-election due to term limits, the opposition is gaining momentum.

Many of Sonko’s supporters are expected to back Faye, making him a significant threat to the other presidential candidates. Sonko has strong support among urban youth who are frustrated with economic challenges and job opportunities in Senegal.

Faye’s coalition is working hard to convince voters that a vote for Faye is essentially a vote for Sonko, highlighting their partnership with campaign posters featuring both leaders.

Former prime minister Aminata Toure, who split from Sall’s ruling coalition last year, has also thrown her support behind Faye, citing his integrity and standing against corruption.

Both Faye and Sonko co-founded the Pastef party in 2014 and worked together as tax inspectors, where they spoke out against corruption and gained a reputation for being honest and dedicated to their work.

Political analyst Babacar Ndiaye noted that Faye, being younger than past presidents and pushing for a change in the political system, is seen as a refreshing presence in Senegalese politics.

While some of the coalition’s proposals, such as creating a new national currency and renegotiating contracts, may raise concerns among regional allies and investors, Sonko and Faye have tried to reassure the public with a more measured approach on sensitive issues like the CFA franc currency.

(Reporting by Sofia Christensen; Editing by Bernadette Baum)