Senegal prepares to swear in former opposition figure, recently freed from prison, as new President

Senegal prepares to inaugurate new President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, marking a dramatic rise from prison to power.

Senegal prepared to inaugurate Bassirou Diomaye Faye as its new President on Tuesday, completing the previously little-known opposition figure's dramatic ascent from prison to the palace in recent weeks.

Mr. Faye was released from prison less than two weeks before the March 24 election, along with popular opposition figure and mentor Ousmane Sonko, following a political amnesty announced by outgoing President Macky Sall. It will be the former tax inspector's first time in elected office.

“It’s the culmination of a long struggle for democracy and the rule of law,” said Aissata Sagna, a 39-year-old factory worker who worked on Mr. Faye's campaign. “This is a day of celebration for us, even if we have lost young people killed during the demonstrations.”

The election tested Senegal’s reputation as a stable democracy in West Africa, a region that has experienced coups and attempted coups. It followed months of unrest ignited by the arrests last year of Mr. Sonko and Mr. Faye and concerns that the President would seek a third term in office despite constitutional term limits. Rights groups said dozens were killed in the protests and about 1,000 were jailed.

Mr. Faye, 44, campaigned on promises to clean up corruption and better manage the country's natural resources. His victory was seen as reflecting the will of young people frustrated with widespread unemployment and former colonial ruler France, seen by critics to be using its relationship with Senegal to enrich itself.

Such frustrations are common across many countries in Africa, home to the world's youngest population, where a number of leaders have clung to power for decades.

In his first speech as President-elect, Mr. Faye promised to fight corruption and reform the economy.