African leaders have been urged to follow the example of Senegal’s newly inaugurated President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, by publicly disclosing their assets. This call was made by The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) in response to Faye’s recent declaration of his assets, which he disclosed in a publication titled ‘Heritage Declaration of the Candidate Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye’.
Faye, who at 44 is the youngest democratically elected President in West Africa, won the March 24, 2024 presidential election in Senegal as the candidate of the opposition party African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics, and Fraternity (PASTEF), securing 54.3% of the votes. His declaration included details of his assets such as a house, vehicles, land, and bank accounts, as well as his liabilities including loans.
CHRICED praised Faye’s transparency and emphasized the importance of such actions in promoting trust and accountability in governance. They urged other African leaders to emulate Faye’s example, highlighting transparency and accountability as essential principles of effective governance.
Additionally, CHRICED encouraged Faye to lead his administration with a focus on transparency, accountability, and respect for the rights of the Senegalese people. They emphasized the significance of prioritizing national interests and the well-being of citizens in managing anticipated oil revenue, cautioning against the pitfalls experienced by oil-rich nations like Nigeria.
Furthermore, CHRICED highlighted Faye’s emergence as an opportunity for the inclusion of young Africans in the governance of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). They urged Faye to work towards reviving ECOWAS, which has faced challenges such as poor leadership, corruption, and insecurity. They called for renewed efforts to align the regional body with its original vision of promoting free movement and economic partnership while addressing the needs of the region’s residents.