Senegal,
Monday, 25 March, 2024
McCreadie Andias
Senegalese local media reports that opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been elected as the new Senegal’s president after several rivals conceded.
Mr Faye, 44, will becomes the youngest elected president of in the country’s history.
His main challenger, former PM Amadou Ba from the ruling coalition, has denied defeat and says a run-off vote will be needed.
While Mr Faye’s supporters celebrated on the streets of Dakar after early indications put him ahead, Senegal’s electoral commission is not expected to declare an official winner until later this week.
Mr Faye is a member of the Pastef party led by opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. He emerged as favourite candidate to win Senegal’s presidential election, after several rivals conceded.
Main opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was disqualified from the race because of a defamation conviction and was in jail until recently following an amnesty law passed this month that allowed their release days before the vote.
Sonko backed Diomaye who was also detained almost a year ago on charges including defamation and contempt of court.The two campaigned together under the banner “Diomaye is Sonko” with Some high-profile politicians and opposition candidates also backing Mr Diomaye’s candidacy.
The incumbent President Macky Sall was not in the ballot for the first time in Senegal’s history with his ruling coalition picking Mr Ba, 62, a former prime minister.
Millions took part in a peaceful vote on Sunday, following three years of turbulence and opposition protests against Sall who was also criticized for delaying the polls to hold power.
The country’s electoral board is expected to announce the official results.
