Young Senegalese still await promised change

Wally Faye hoped his life would take off when Senegal’s youngest president swept to power promising radical change, but a year on a 26-year-old still has no job and is unable to help his parents or get married.

- Soulé Dia

Unemployed since 2019 despite having a master’s in geography, Faye was among the many young Senegalese who voted for change at the top of the West African nation. “I never thought that after five, six months, things would really change. But it’s not the case,” Faye, who comes from the central city of Touba, said.

Even so, he still has confidence in President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his charismatic mentor Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, he added. Three quarters of Senegal’s population is aged under 35, with dreams of a better life helped by the PASTEF party, whose leaders trumpeted an anti-establishment message and promises of a break from the past.

Angry demonstrators had taken to the streets to rail against ex-president Macky Sall and the possibility he might try for a third term. Dozens of mainly young people were killed during the protests, and many were hurt and jailed or dismissed. Despite securing a change of government, however, rampant youth unemployment persists and many struggle to make ends meet.