Senegal's President Faye, Advocates Unity, Security in Africa

Senegal’s new President, Bassirou Faye, has called for more solidarity among African countries in the face of insecurity challenges, and advocating for unity and security across the continent. 

Faye, in front of hundreds of officials and several African heads of state, during his inauguration ceremony, on Tuesday, said “At the African level, the scale of the insecurity challenges obliges us to show more solidarity. 

“I reaffirm Senegal’s commitment to strengthening efforts to promote peace, security, stability and African integration,” he said.

Faye renewed his promise of “systemic change” and “greater sovereignty” after being sworn in as the country’s youngest head of state.

Faye, 44, said his victory in the March 24 presidential election expressed “a profound desire for systemic change,” adding that he heard the “aspiration for greater sovereignty, development and well-being”.

Faye said he heard the “aspiration for greater sovereignty, development and well-being” in Africa and re-iterated to foreign partners “Senegal’s openness to trade that respects our sovereignty and meets the aspirations of our people, in a mutually beneficial partnership.” 

On the international stage, Faye seeks to bring military-run Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger back into the fold of the regional Economic Community of West African States bloc.