Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye named what he termed a “breakaway” government on Friday, appointing scores of new faces to top roles following his swearing-in some days ago.
The 44-year-old, who has never before held elected office, swept to a first-round victory in last month’s presidential election in Senegal, and carries the burden of millons of Senegalese, especially Youths on his shoulders.
Unveiling the 25-man cabinet on Friday was Faye’s appointed prime minister and former mentor Ousmane Sonko, who helped quicken the political newcomer’s rise to power.
“The government set up here on April 5 is a breakaway government… that embodies the project, a systemic transformation voted for by the Senegalese people,” said Sonko.
Sonko, 49, who is expected to share responsibilities with the President spearheaded Senegal’s anti-establishment movement but endorsed Faye on the presidential ballot after he was barred from running himself by Former President Macky Sall due to a defamation conviction.
Birame Souleye Diop was appointed energy minister, a strategic position in a country that is due to start producing oil and gas in 2024.
Ousmane Diagne, a former public prosecutor at the Dakar Court of Appeal, becomes justice minister.
The government included four women, who were handed the portfolios of foreign affairs, fisheries, family and youth and culture.
Senegal is facing a host of major challenges, including an official unemployment rate of 20 per cent.
However, Sonko reaffirmed the government’s willingness to create jobs for the populace when he revealed on Friday the government’s priorities would include employment for young people, lowering the cost of living and protecting human rights.
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