On April 2, Senegal swore in Bassirou Diomaye Faye as its new president. The swearing-in marks the end of former President Macky Sall’s governance, which many Senegalese people found oppressive. Faye became Senegal’s youngest president at age 44 and serves as the youngest president in Africa.

Faye’s journey to Senegal’s highest elected office included his imprisonment on charges of inciting an insurrection. The imprisonment of Faye and other leaders of his Pastef party came as former President Sall’s government took measures to postpone the original election day, originally set to occur on Feb. 25.

Senegalese authorities released Faye and his current Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko 10 days before election day on March 24. Senegalese people protesting the delay of the election endured violence from security forces, and Senegalese police killed at least 60 people at the demonstrations according to Amnesty International.

According to Al Jazeera, the region of West Africa, Central Africa and the Sahel has seen nine military coups since 2020. Faye’s election, despite Sall’s government’s ostensible efforts to undermine democracy, may provide some hope for the Senegalese people and reinvigorate efforts across the region to support democracy.