Macky Sall Sworn In As Senegal's New President

President Macky Sall, the newly-elected leader of the West African state of Senegal., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Macky Sall sworn in as Senegal’s new president

Mon Apr 2, 2012 4:41PM GMT
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New Senegalese President Macky Sall
Mon Apr 2, 2012 4:41PM GMTShare | Email | PrintI swear to faithfully fulfil the office of president ... to observe and enforce the constitution, to devote all my efforts to defending constitutional institutions, territorial integrity and national independence."
Senegalese President Macky Sall

Macky Sall has been sworn in as Senegal’s new president after the country’s outgoing leader Abdoulaye Wade conceded defeat in the presidential elections.

"I swear to faithfully fulfill the office of president ... to observe and enforce the constitution, to devote all my efforts to defending constitutional institutions, territorial integrity and national independence," Sall said during his oath ceremony.

The ceremony was attended by some 2,000 people, including African leaders from nations such as Liberia, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.

This comes after a crushing victory over long time president Wade last month.

Tensions escalated on January 27 after the Constitutional Council, appointed by Wade and known as the five wise men, gave the president the green light to run in the election.

Outgoing Wade, was first elected in 2000, ending 40 years of rule by the Socialist Party, revised the constitution in 2001 to impose a two-term limit for the president. He argues that he is exempt because he was elected before the new law was drafted.

Sall is Senegal’s fourth president since the country gained independence from France in 1960.