By Joke Kujenya
SENEGALESE PRESIDENT Bassirou Faye arrived at Nigeria’s Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Thursday afternoon for his first official visit since taking office.
He was received at 3:09 p.m. by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and senior government officials as Faye’s visit marks a significant diplomatic engagement between the two West African nations.
Faye, 44, who became Senegal’s youngest president last month, secured his position after winning over 54 percent of the votes in a delayed presidential election held in March.
His election came after a tumultuous campaign period marked by his detention alongside his political mentor, Ousmane Sanko. The duo was released just ten days before the campaign began, following the passage of an amnesty law.
Sworn in as Senegal’s fifth democratically elected president on April 2, Faye succeeded Macky Sall, who had been in power since 2012. His victory over former Prime Minister Amadou Ba marked a significant political shift in Senegal.
President Tinubu, who also serves as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), had previously attended Faye’s inauguration in Dakar.
The two leaders are now holding closed-door bilateral talks to strengthen ties between Nigeria and Senegal in a meeting at the forecourt of the presidential villa in Abuja believed to underscore the importance of regional cooperation and mutual support in West Africa.
The discussions are also expected to cover various topics, including economic collaboration, security issues, and enhancing political relations between the two nations.
