- Senegal’s former prime minister, Amadou Bah, has conceded to opposition candidate Bashirou Diomaie Diacar Faye in the presidential election.
- Fay has the backing of popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who has pledged to fight corruption and foreign interference.
- The election remained uncertain for several months after an attempt by President Macky Sall to postpone it failed.
Senegal’s former prime minister on Monday conceded the presidential election to the opposition candidate based on provisional results from the day after the vote, according to a statement from his campaign.
Mr. Amadou Ba said he congratulated Mr. Basil Diomaie Diacar Faye and wished him success.
Mr. Fay’s expected victory reflected the dissatisfaction of young people in the West African country with high unemployment and concerns about governance. Fay, backed by popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, has vowed to protect Senegal from corruption and interference from foreign powers, including former colonial power France.
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Fay’s team had no immediate comment. Sonko was barred from the presidential race in January because of his criminal record, and Fay ran in his place.
Supporters of presidential candidate Bashir Diomai Fay and Senegal’s main opposition leader Ousmane Sonko gather outside their campaign headquarters to await the results of the presidential election in Dakar, Senegal, on March 24, 2024. . (AP Photo/Mosaab Elshamy)
Sunday’s election came after months of uncertainty and anxiety after President Macky Sall’s unsuccessful attempt to postpone the election until the end of the year. The ensuing, sometimes deadly protests have shaken Senegal’s reputation as a stable democracy in a region that has seen a wave of coups in recent years. Human rights groups said dozens of people were killed and hundreds more imprisoned.
Observers said voting was largely peaceful and turnout was high. An official announcement is not expected until later this week, but early counts show voters overwhelmingly supported the opposition.
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In Senegal’s coastal capital, Fay’s supporters danced and played music late Sunday night in hopes of victory.
“Our democracy will become even stronger from this result,” said Nday Sow, 27. “We are happy. There is no violence here and calm is the norm today.”
More than 7 million people are registered to vote in a country of about 17 million people. This will be Senegal’s fourth democratic transfer of power since gaining independence from France more than 60 years ago. The outgoing president is constitutionally prohibited from seeking a third term.
