The Head of State was welcomed with full military honour on his first working visit to the country since President Faye was sworn in as Senegal’s fifth President on April 2, 2024.

President Kagame has arrived in Dakar where he is received by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye @PR_Diomaye, and members of the cabinet. pic.twitter.com/QsEI5G1D2J

— Presidency | Rwanda (@UrugwiroVillage) May 11, 2024

President Kagame is scheduled to hold talks with his Senegalese counterpart on strengthening fraternal and cooperation relations between the two countries.

The two Heads of State are also expected to attend the Basketball Africa League (BAL) game between Senegal’s AS Douanes and Rwanda’s APR, ahead of playoffs and finals set to be held in Kigali from May 24 to June 1.

Faye, 44, became the youngest man elected president in Senegal, after defeating main rival and ruling party coalition candidate Amadou Ba and winning the election with over 54% of the vote

The former tax inspector’s candidature was backed by prominent opposition figure Ousmane Sonko. Sonko endorsed Faye for the presidential seat after being barred from vying.

After his victory, Faye appointed Sonko as the country’s Prime Minister and pledged to restore stability and bring economic progress in the country.

Faye participated in the election barely two weeks after being released from prison in Dakar.

He had in April last year been charged with several offences, including contempt of court, after broadcasting a message critical of the judiciary in legal cases against Sonko.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal welcomes his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to the country during his working visit on Saturday evening.