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Senegal anti-establishment candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye wins presidency
- Faye’s main opponent from the governing coalition, Amadou Ba, conceded the race and called Faye to offer his congratulations on Monday
- It marks stunning victory for the 44-year-old, who was only freed from prison 10 days before Sunday’s election
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Anti-establishment candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye was set Monday to become the youngest president in Senegal’s history after his rival conceded the race, triggering a political earthquake in the West African nation.
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It marks a stunning victory for the 44-year-old, who was only freed from prison 10 days before Sunday’s election whose results are not yet official.
It is the first time in 12 presidential votes held under universal suffrage since Senegal gained independence from France in 1960 that an opposition candidate has won in the first round of voting.
His main opponent from the governing coalition, Amadou Ba, 62, recognised Faye’s win and rang him to offer his congratulations.
Outgoing president Macky Sall, who did not stand after wins in 2012 and 2019, also congratulated him, hailing “a victory for Senegalese democracy”.
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The United States on Monday also hailed the triumph of democracy in Senegal.
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