Opposition Leader Emerges Victorious in Senegal’s Presidential Election

Preliminary results announced on Wednesday reveal that Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the opposition leader in Senegal, has been elected as the country’s president in the delayed elections held last Sunday. Faye, who was released from jail less than two weeks before the ballot, secured 54.28% of the total votes cast, according to the court of appeals in Dakar.

The ruling coalition’s candidate, former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, received over 35% of the vote. After initially refusing to concede defeat and suggesting a run-off election, Ba congratulated Faye on his victory.

Faye’s campaign director confirmed that he had received congratulatory phone calls from 13 out of 18 opponents.

Outgoing President Macky Sall also extended his congratulations. The elections, originally scheduled for February, were held amidst tension and protests sparked by court cases against another opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko. Sonko, who was disqualified from running, endorsed Faye as his replacement.