Senegal: Opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye wins presidency as former Prime Minister Amadou Ba concedes defeat

Senegal’s former Prime Minister, Amadou Ba, has extended congratulations to his rival opposition candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, for emerging as the likely winner of the presidential election. Initial results coming in since the closure of polls on Sunday evening in the first round of the delayed presidential election indicate that Faye, aged 44, may have secured a decisive majority.

The emerging trends, broadcasted on local media, prompted jubilant celebrations among Faye’s supporters in the capital city of Dakar.

Initially cautious, the candidate backed by the ruling coalition, Ba, aged 62, deemed these celebrations premature, emphasizing the potential necessity of a runoff vote to ascertain the victor. However, Ba later reached out to Faye on Monday to convey his congratulations, as confirmed by a government spokesperson to journalists.

In an official statement, Ba acknowledged the evolving trend of the presidential election results, expressing his congratulations to Faye for his apparent triumph in the first round.

Additionally, Senegal’s outgoing President, Macky Sall, also offered his congratulations to opposition candidate Faye, recognizing him as his prospective successor. Sall praised the electoral process as “a victory for Senegalese democracy,” commending the orderly conduct of the election and acknowledging Faye’s lead according to polling trends.

Throughout the night, several opposition contenders, including Anta Babacar Ngom, the sole female candidate, conceded defeat to Faye. This electoral participation witnessed significant turnout, with millions of Senegalese citizens engaging in the voting process to elect the nation’s fifth president.

The election followed a tumultuous period of 3 years marked by political instability, which saw widespread anti-government protests and a surge in support for the opposition. Ba, endorsed by the outgoing President Macky Sall, faced declining popularity after two terms in office characterized by economic challenges.

Faye emerged as a prominent figure in Senegalese politics following his recent release from prison, alongside his mentor Ousmane Sonko. Sonko, although disqualified from running due to a defamation conviction, played a crucial role in supporting Faye’s candidacy. Campaigning under the banner “Diomaye is Sonko,” the duo pledged to combat corruption and prioritize national economic interests, resonating particularly with the country’s youth demographic facing unemployment challenges.

A peaceful transition of power in Senegal would signify a significant stride for democracy in West Africa, amidst a backdrop of recent military coups in the region. There is optimism that the election outcome will usher in stability and economic growth for Senegal, especially with the imminent commencement of oil and gas production.

The official election results are scheduled to be announced by the Dakar appeals court on Friday, pending the electoral commission’s release of tallies from the 15,633 voting stations.