There have been 5 presidents of Senegal since the country gained independence from France in 1960. However, this is the complete list of all the presidents of Senegal from 1960 till date:
| President | Term | Political Party |
|---|---|---|
| Léopold Sédar Senghor | 1960-1980 | Senegalese Progressive Union (UPS) / Socialist Party (PS) |
| Abdou Diouf | 1981-2000 | Socialist Party (PS) |
| Abdoulaye Wade | 2000-2012 | Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) |
| Macky Sall | 2012-2024 | Alliance for the Republic (APR) / BBY Coalition |
| Bassirou Diomaye Faye | 2024-present | Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF) |
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Who Is The First Democratically Elected President In Senegal?
Léopold Sédar Senghor was the first president of Senegal. He served as president from 1960 to 1980, after Senegal gained independence from France.
Senghor was born in 1906 in the town of Joal in French West Africa, which is now Senegal. He was educated in France and became a teacher and writer.
Senghor co-founded the Négritude movement, which promoted African culture and values. This movement aimed to celebrate African heritage and fight against colonialism.
It helped people in Africa feel proud of their culture and traditions. In 1960, Senegal became an independent country.
Senghor, who was part of the Senegalese Progressive Union (which later became the Socialist Party), became the country’s first president.
He was elected without any opposition in 1960 and then re-elected in 1963, 1968, 1973, and 1978. Senghor worked hard to develop Senegalese culture and the arts.
He believed that promoting culture was important for the country’s identity and unity. Also, he tried to promote African unity by working with other African leaders.
However, some people felt he was too close to France and did not follow socialist principles enough. In 1980, at the age of 72, Senghor decided to resign as president.
His prime minister, Abdou Diouf, took over as the next president. After leaving office, Senghor continued to write poetry and essays. Writing was always a big part of his life. He passed away in France in 2001 at the age of 95.
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Who Is The Current President Of Senegal?
The new president of Senegal in 2024 is Bassirou Diomaye Faye. He was elected on March 24, 2024, after winning more than 54% of the votes in the presidential election.
This election was the first time an opposition candidate won in the first round since Senegal became independent in 1960. Faye is 44 years old and was not a very popular figure in politics before this election.
He ran for the opposition party because Ousmane Sonko, a popular leader, could not run due to legal issues. Faye’s victory was celebrated by many people, especially young people in Senegal who are unhappy with unemployment and other problems.
Before the election, there were many protests and unrest in the country. This was mainly because the outgoing president, Macky Sall, decided not to run for a third term after much speculation.
His decision came after a long period of political tension, including the jailing of opposition leaders. Faye’s campaign focused on fighting corruption and managing the country’s resources better.
He was inaugurated as president on April 2, 2024. In his first speech, Faye promised to work hard for the people of Senegal and address the issues that matter most to them, especially the youth.
Many people see his election as a hopeful change for the country as he aims to bring new ideas and reforms to the government.
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Who Is The Vice President Of Senegal?
Senegal does not have a vice president. Instead, the country has a president who is both the head of state and the head of government. The president is elected directly by the people of Senegal.
Once elected, the president appoints a prime minister to help run the government. However, the prime minister is not the same as a vice president. As of now, the president of Senegal is Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
He was elected in March 2024 and officially took office on April 2, 2024, having succeeded Macky Sall, who was the previous president.
Faye is the fifth person to become president of Senegal since the country gained independence from France in 1960. However, the president of Senegal is elected for a five-year term. According to the constitution from 2001, a president can only serve two terms in a row.