NVN Thursday: FAYE'S INAUGURATION
by Anayo Dioha
Just over two weeks ago, Bassirou Diomaye Faye was a little-known opposition leader languishing in jail, detained without trial on charges including inciting insurrection, who had never held elected office. One week ago, he defeated the governing party's candidate, Amadou Ba, in the country's presidential election, winning 54% in the first round. On Tuesday, the 44-year-old has been sworn in as the fifth president of Senegal, becoming Africa's youngest elected head of state. In a region where a large majority of the population are under 30, his victory offers hope to those young people frustrated by a lack of economic opportunities, with old elites seemingly clinging to power. —BBC, April 2, 2024
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Rotten roots from decades past Sinking deeper. Branches Decaying, falling apart Into their rancorous unrest From this foisted tree of shrouded Democracy. Evergreen leaves pruned, trampled Black, mutilated barks Of overburdened trunk and branches Bearing colonial scars and fresh bruises. The rape, the loot; plagues and Persecutions–the tale of many Dark cities. But look! A spark ignites in Dakar! An ecdysis seems in progress. This bloom just may smile At the sky; it could be left to bask In the sun. But how will it fare around the pack Of predators gathered at the lounge— The inauguration lounge?
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Anayo Dioha is a Nigerian and has been previously published in The New Verse News.