Opposition figure Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a former tax inspector from the Patriots of Senegal party (PASTEF), was sworn into office as Senegal’s new president on April 2 after his historic election on March 24. Susan Price looks at the factors behind his victory.
Senegal
At least 16 people were killed, hundreds injured and more than 500 arrested, following three days of protest in Senegal in early June, prompting fears of a further crackdown, reports Leo Earle.
Senegal was a French colony until it became independent in 1960. It contains about 20 distinct ethnic groups in its population of 8 million.The country has been facing a huge economic and social crisis that has its roots in the increase in debt and a structural adjustment program launched in the early 1980s.