Former Senegalese President Macky Sall arrived with his family in Marrakech on Tuesday after handing over the reins of government to newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and swearing him in.
The orderly transfer of presidential responsibilities to Faye occurred in the presidential palace in Dakar yesterday. Faye was elected to serve a five-year term.
Faye succeeds Macky Sall, 62, who led the country of 18 million people over the previous twelve years. The newly chosen president won the first round of the March 24 presidential election with 54.28% of the vote, significantly ahead of the leading contender, Amadou Ba (35.79%).
Faye was named new president in the presence of hundreds of Senegalese officials and several heads of state and African leaders at the Diamniadio New Town Exhibition Center, near Dakar, on Tuesday. Morocco was the only country outside the west African sub-region to be invited to the ceremony.
A delegation composed of senior officials is representing the King at the inauguration ceremony. The invitation reflects the exceptional, multi-dimensional relationship the Kingdom of Morocco enjoys with the Republic of Senegal with respect to political, economic, cultural, social and spiritual matters.
The swearing-in and investiture ceremony of Senegal’s new president took place in the presence of various heads-of-state and chairmen of the commissions of the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).