A NEW TREND OF LEADERSHIP IS EMERGING IN AFRICA: FAYE, THE PRESIDENT ELECT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SENEGAL IS A SYMBOL OF HOPE FOR YOUNG AFRICAN POLITICIANS.
*Minkailu Koroma, Freetown.*
*Tuesday 26th March, 2024.*
I wish to start by throwing my hat for President Macky Sall for upholding the tenets of democracy in Senegal and for following the enviable and indelible footprint of erstwhile President George Weah of neighboring Liberia.
The same cannot be said of my country Sierra Leone, where the people’s mandate was stolen with impunity and in broad daylight. That congratulatory call by outgoing President Sall is a hallmark of democracy and it did set the pace for others to follow the good example without deviation. Indeed, as described by President Sall, this is a true victory for Senegalese democracy.
I equally did admire Faye’s main opponent, Ba, for accepting defeat honorably and congratulating the winner without delay. This is the way to go in Africa; we must have the capacity to conducting our affairs (especially elections) fairly, transparently and democratically; the credibility of our elections must not be in contention or doubt. We must learn to leave no room for a third party intervenor that may lead to a certain cross party dialogue and a Tripartite Committee therein (like was the case in Sierra Leone)!! We have to now grow pass this levels of immaturity, pettiness, selfishness and and an intolerable level of corruption. We have to make progress for the sake of our children, the vulnerable and the next generation.
Few (including this writer) had heard of the name Faye in the political limelight a year ago and now, Bassirou Diomaya Faye is set to become Africa’s youngest elected President. Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso is 34 but came to power using the barrel; Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia is 46, Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar is 48, Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi is 54, Mswati III of Swaziland is 54, William Ruto of Kenya is 55, Faure Gnassingbe of Togo is 56, Adama Barrow of The Gambia is 57, Letsie III of Lesotho is 59 etc.
Meanwhile, here are few things you should know about Faye: Born on the 25th March 1980, a former tax inspector and has never held any political position. The young politician is a practicing Muslim with two wives, Marie Khone Faye and Absa Faye. He has four children. Faye and his political leader, Ousmane Sonko were in prison until 10 days before the Presidential elections. They were released on March 14th 2024 after the President pronounced a political amnesty. Both men co-founded the now disbanded Pastef party. Faye emerged as a Presidential candidate of the opposition after his boss Sonko was disqualified from contesting the election. Ahead of the election, Faye published a declaration of his asserts and urged other candidates to do same. This got him nicknamed Mr. Clean by his supporters. Faye is a graduate of the Senegalese National School of Administration and he is a Pan-Africanist
In recent years, the political landscape in Africa has witnessed a notable shift with the emergence of young leaders assuming key positions of power. This trend brings with it a wave of optimism and the potential for transformative change, especially when you consider the fact that Africa has a disproportionately young population, and as such, proper representation of our demographic is very important.
It is my considered opinion that having a young President ensures that the vices and aspirations of the youth are genuinely heard and understood. Young leaders are more likely to empathize with the challenges faced with their peers, including unemployment, education and access to healthcare. Their firsthand experience can lead to policies and initiatives that directly address these issues and provides a platform for youth empowerment. They are also more in tune with the times and are fully aware of the current trends and shifts in cultural norms. With fresh representatives from young leaders, governments across the continent are more likely to challenge the status quo and champion progressive polices and reforms. While the election of young representatives is gradually becoming an acceptable idea, it doesn’t change the fact that most of Africa’s administrations are still largely controlled by an elderly demographic. We however need fresh legs with new insights and new energy to steer the ship.
My fellow Sierra Leoneans (young people) and the youth in particular, and, my fellow compatriots across the political divide, “We Are Not Too Young To Run”; the time is “Now or Never”!!! Let’s do this for our generation and the generation after us, let’s do this *#ForGodAndCountry*✌️♥️🇸🇱
Leave a Reply