Senegal: Barthélémy Dias officially mayor of Dakar
Barthélémy Dias won the municipal elections on January 23 with 56% of the votes cast for the opposition coalition Yewwi Askan Wi.
(illustrative image) SEYLLOU / AFP
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Barthélémy Dias was officially installed as mayor of Dakar on Thursday February 17, after winning the municipal elections on January 23 with 56% of the votes cast for the opposition coalition Yewwi Askan Wi.
A victory that allowed the fervent critic of Macky Sall's regime to keep Dakar in the hands of the opposition.
The installation ceremony took place in the Senegalese capital's town hall, where he succeeded outgoing mayor Soham El Wardini.
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With our correspondent in Dakar,
Théa Ollivier
With a solemn gesture, the prefect of Dakar passed the scarf in the colors of Senegal around the waist of Barthélémy Dias, the new mayor at the head of the capital: “
I declare you officially installed in your functions as mayor.
»
In his speech, the politician first thanked Khalifa Sall, a former mayor of the city who had to leave office in 2018 after a controversial court case.
He had been convicted in particular of "
fraud on public funds
" before being pardoned.
“
I plan to propose to the municipal council to confer on Mr. Khalifa Sall by deliberation the status of honorary mayor of Dakar.
»
"Not a combat post against the state"
The new city councilor also detailed his priorities, such as education, health, culture or cleaning up the city of Dakar.
“
I invite the State to collaborate in several sectors, particularly in education.
I insist on our desire to bring together all the components.
I am not at the head of the town hall in a post of combat against the institutions of the State.
On the other hand, I will oppose by all means any attempt that opponents of the free administration of local authorities could perpetuate.
»
Until the end of the afternoon, the 18 deputy mayors were then elected.
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