France, April 3 -- In Senegal, in his first act as leader, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has appointed by his ally and key backer Ousmane Sonko as prime minister.

Sonko, 49, has been the fiercest opponent of former President Macky Sall for the past three years, and the founder of the Pastef Party, dissolved last July but still active as a banner for Faye and Sonko.

He is also very popular among the West African nation's youth.

In January, Sonko had to give up on running for president himself when he was barred from the 24 March election because of a conviction for defamation after six months of convoluted legal battles. Senegal's authorities refuse to reintegrate Sonko on electoral lists

He denies any wrongdoing.

Campaigning jointl...