Despite being detained, opposition presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s campaign is gaining momentum in Senegal.
Posters and bracelets bearing his image are flooding the streets, with supporters hopeful for his release before the March 24th election.
Faye, previously a lesser-known figure, emerged as a serious contender after receiving the backing of popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.
Sonko, who enjoys strong support among young Senegals, is also currently detained and disqualified from the race due to a defamation conviction. He maintains his innocence.
Faye, unlike Sonko, remains eligible due to the absence of a final ruling against him on charges including defamation and contempt of court.
With the election date recently confirmed after weeks of uncertainty, the race for the presidency has intensified among the 19 candidates.
On Saturday, members of Sonko’s dissolved Pastef party and other allied parties launched Faye’s campaign in his absence.
The tax inspector has garnered significant support, including from former Prime Minister Aminata Toure, who recently left the ruling party following a disagreement with President Macky Sall.
Campaign caravans crisscrossing the country are brimming with supporters sporting bright bracelets and posters featuring both Faye and Sonko.
“We stand by the project,” declared Cheikh Omar Sow, a tailor who joined a crowd of supporters in Dakar on Tuesday.
“Even with them imprisoned, our determination is unwavering. I’ve left everything behind to contribute to this cause.”
Faye’s coalition proposes significant changes, including the creation of a new national currency – a move with potential consequences for the West African Economic and Monetary Union – and the renegotiation of mining and energy contracts.
While a recent amnesty bill aimed to ease political tensions, it remains unclear whether Faye and Sonko will be released before the election. Their lawyer offered no immediate indication of their release on Wednesday.
