President Bola Tinubu is set to embark on a diplomatic journey to Dakar, Senegal, where he will participate in the inauguration ceremony of Senegal’s President-elect, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The trip, scheduled for Tuesday, is at the invitation of the Republic of Senegal and underscores Tinubu’s role as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government.
Accompanying President Tinubu on this official visit will be the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, along with other high-ranking government officials. The inauguration ceremony is slated to take place at the Diamniadio Exhibition Centre and will be attended by various regional leaders.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, commonly known as Diomaye, emerged victorious in Senegal’s recent presidential election, securing 54.3 percent of the vote. His ascent to power from humble beginnings, coupled with his pledge for transformative change, has garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally.
Faye’s victory speech emphasized priorities such as national reconciliation, addressing economic challenges, and combating corruption. He has articulated a vision for left-wing pan-Africanism, advocating for national sovereignty and the revitalization of key sectors such as agriculture and industry.
Notably, Faye’s political trajectory has been intertwined with that of opposition figurehead Ousmane Sonko, who endorsed Faye after being barred from the presidential race himself. Together, they founded the Pastef political party and rallied support across Senegal, leveraging their respective strengths to galvanize public sentiment.
Following the conclusion of the inauguration proceedings, President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria, where he will continue to fulfill his duties as the leader of Africa’s most populous nation.