New Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Tuesday appointed Ousmane Sonko as prime minister in his first appointment as president.
Sonko, an opponent of former President Macky Sall, is popular among the West African nation’s youth but was barred from the March 24 presidential election due to a defamation conviction. He denied any wrongdoing.
Campaigning jointly under the slogan “Diomaye is Sonko,” Sonko urged supporters to vote for his top lieutenant, Faye, who ultimately won with over 54% of the vote in the first round.
Speaking after his appointment, Sonko said he would present Faye with a full list of proposed ministerial appointments for his approval.
“There will be no question of leaving him (Faye) alone to assume this heavy responsibility”, Sonko said.
The new government also needs to create enough jobs in a nation where 75 percent of the 18 million population is aged under 35, and the unemployment rate is officially 20 percent.
Peoplesmind