Bassirou Diomaye Faye is a Senegalese politician and former tax inspector who became the president of Senegal in April 2024. He is the youngest president in Senegal’s history.
Faye attended Marie Médiatrice Catholic School, Lycée Demba Diop, and University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar, where he obtained a master’s degree in law. He trained as a tax inspector at the National School of Administration of Senegal.
Faye met Ousmane Sonko, also a tax inspector, at work. In 2014 Sonko formed a political party, African Patriots of Senegal for Labor, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF), of which he became the leader. Faye also joined PASTEF, rising to the executive leadership level. Beginning in 2021, Sonko faced legal charges, which he maintained were politically motivated. Faye became secretary-general of PASTEF after Sonko was arrested in 2021. Faye himself was arrested in 2023 and jailed on charges of defaming magistrates and contempt of court, stemming from comments he had made regarding Sonko’s legal proceedings.
Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, there were concerns that Sonko, who had since been convicted of crimes, would not be allowed to be a candidate, and, with Sonko’s blessing, PASTEF chose to support Faye as a candidate in that scenario. Sonko was indeed disqualified, and he campaigned with Faye. In the March 24 election, Faye, who was one of 19 candidates, was declared the winner. He was inaugurated on April 2, 2024, and appointed Sonko as prime minister. Tensions between the two became evident the next year as they disagreed on various issues. Faye dismissed Sonko from the post in May 2026.