Senegal’s new President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, was officially installed yesterday at the Palace of the Republic by his predecessor Macky Sall. Senegal’s youngest President travelled to the Presidency in his all-terrain vehicle, escorted by the Republican Guard’s motorbike squadron. Senegal’s new President was keen to commune with a large crowd at the 4C building, aboard his car.

At that moment, President Macky Sall was waiting for him at the Palace. Dressed in a white caftan, President Sall chatted with his aides, MP Abdou Mbow, Prime Minister Sidiki Kaba, Racine Talla, Managing Director of Rts, and Minister Ismaïla Madior Fall. The latter had a laugh with President Macky Sall, while awaiting the arrival of the new tenant of the Palace of the Republic.

Diomaye Takes the Helm: A TIME OF RUPTURE

President Faye’s motorcade continued on its way, ending up on the Corniche, where a crowd had come out to show their delight at seeing the young President.

The Secretary General of the Government, Seydou Guèye, had a pile of files with him to prepare for the handover of power. The President of the National Assembly, Amadou Mame Diop, and MP Farba Ngom were among those present at the Palace to bid farewell to President Macky Sall, who was leaving office after 12 years.

The 21 cannon shots rang out as the motorcade of the new President of the Republic approached the gates of the Palace, which it crossed at 1:49 pm, preceded by the cavalry escort on the Boulevard of the Republique decked out in the national colours.

Swearing-in and Handover of Power: On Bass’ Track

The new President of the Republic was honoured by a detachment of the Presidential Guard. His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye ascended the stairs of the Palace, welcomed by outgoing President Macky Sall. After a warm handshake, the two heads of state met in the Music Room for their tête-à-tête. The meeting lasted just a few minutes.

The new President Bassirou Diomaye Faye re-accompanied his predecessor Macky Sall after receiving the symbolic key to the Palace from him. The latter wished him a long stay in the building. It was an emotional moment for President Sall’s aides as he bid farewell, leaving the Presidency in his car and heading for Avenue of the Republique before heading for Mermoz, where a huge crowd paid tribute to him.

By Amadou MBODJI – ambodji@lequotidien.sn