By Emmanuel Nduka
History is about to be made in Senegal, as 44-year-old opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a political newcomer popular among the country’s disaffected youth, is set to be declared the next president.
His victory became evident after his main rival, Amadou Ba of the current ruling coalition called him on Monday to concede defeat.
Provisional results showed Faye with about 53.7% and Ba with 36.2% based on tallies from 90% of polling stations in the first-round vote, Senegal’s electoral commission said on Monday.
Ba and incumbent President Macky Sall both congratulated Faye, who turned 44 on Monday, hailing the outcome as a win for Senegal, whose reputation as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies took a hit when Sall postponed the vote.
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“The Senegalese people have reinforced the good health of our democracy. I wish him (Faye) success at the head of our country,” Ba said.
A peaceful transition of power in Senegal would mark a boost for democracy in West Africa, where there have been eight military coups since 2020.
19 candidates are vying for the top job in the country where the winner is expected to have more than 50% of votes cast both locally and in diaspora.
ECOWAS, AU, EU Officials Meet With Senegal’s Sall
As voting continued, the delegations from the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) entered a closed door meeting with the outgoing President of Senegal on Monday.
The meeting had in attendance former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan.
While full details of the meeting have not been disclosed, Jonathan spoke to newsmen after the meeting, applauding the people of Senegal for a hitch free exercise during the elections, and assured of a seamless transition that will further strengthen democratic values in West Africa.
