Senegal has had five presidents since gaining independence from France in 1960. The president is both the head of state and government.
According to the 2001 Constitution, updated after a 2016 referendum, presidents serve a five-year term with a two-term limit. The current president is Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who took office on April 2, 2024.
Each of these leaders has contributed to the nation’s development while facing challenges like economic growth and regional security.
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Complete List Of Senegal Presidents From 1960 Till Date
| Name | Tenure | Political Party |
|---|---|---|
| Léopold Sédar Senghor | September 6, 1960 - December 31, 1980 | Senegalese Progressive Union (PSS) |
| Abdou Diouf | January 1, 1981 - April 1, 2000 | Socialist Party (PS) |
| Abdoulaye Wade | April 1, 2000 - April 2, 2012 | Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) |
| Macky Sall | April 2, 2012 - April 2, 2024 | Alliance for the Republic (APR) |
| Bassirou Diomaye Faye | April 2, 2024 - Present | Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF) |
Who Was The First Senegal President?
Léopold Sédar Senghor was the first president of Senegal, serving from 1960 to 1980. He was born on October 9, 1906, in Joal, Senegal.
His father was a planter and trader, and his mother was a Roman Catholic. Senghor initially wanted to become a teacher-priest and attended a Catholic mission school.
Later, he switched to secular studies and studied in Dakar before moving to France, where he earned degrees in philosophy and literature.
Senghor began his political career during Senegal’s colonial period, advocating for more autonomy for African territories under French rule.
He opposed a law that territorial governance, as he believed it could divide African states. Senghor played a part in forming the Mali Federation in 1959 with French Sudan (now Mali).
When the federation ended in 1960, Senegal became independent, and Senghor became its first president on September 5, 1960.
He promised honest leadership but also believed in using strict measures when necessary. In 1962, he arrested his Prime Minister, Mamadou Dia, after Dia tried to stage a coup, leading Senghor to establish a one-party state.
Senghor governed by combining socialism with African traditions, often called “African socialism.”
He modernized agriculture, improve education, and fight corruption. While maintaining close ties with France, he limited Senegal’s political parties to three: socialist, communist, and liberal.
Regardless of his strict rule, Senghor promoted African culture and identity, becoming a leading figure in the Négritude movement. In 1980, Senghor resigned voluntarily, however, he passed away on December 20, 2001, in France.
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Who Is The New President Of Senegal?
The new president of Senegal is Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who took office on April 2, 2024. At 44 years old, Faye is the youngest democratically elected leader in Africa.
Faye was born on March 25, 1980, in Ndiaganiao, a town in the Thiès region. His rise in politics has been tied to the opposition party PASTEF, also known as Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics, and Fraternity.
He studied law at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, where he earned a master’s degree. Later, he joined the National School of Administration in Senegal, which prepared him for a career as a tax inspector.
During this time, he worked closely with Ousmane Sonko, the founder of PASTEF. Faye became active in politics in 2014 when PASTEF was created.
With time, he rose in the party ranks, becoming Secretary General in 2022. Despite facing legal challenges, including charges of contempt of court and defamation, he remained committed to his political work.
Faye’s amnesty in March 2024 allowed him to run for president. His campaign focused on creating jobs, fighting corruption, and reforming the economy. His slogan, “Diomaye mooy Sonko,” emphasized his strong connection to Sonko and appealed to young voters.
On March 24, 2024, Faye won the presidential election with over 54% of the vote, becoming the first opposition candidate to win in the first round since Senegal’s independence.
His presidency began fighting corruption and improving economic practices, particularly in the mining and energy sectors.
