Congratulations poured in for opposition candidate Bassirou Faye from the African Union for his victory in the Senegal presidential election. The union praised the widespread acceptance of the election results.
Using the official French language, African Union Commission President Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed warm felicitations to Faye for his first-round triumph. He wished Faye success in his important role.
After securing 54.3% of the vote in the first round, Faye convincingly defeated Macky Sall’s chosen successor, former Prime Minister Amadou Ba.
The Senegalese Constitutional Court is expected to officially declare Faye as the winner before the weekend, potentially facilitating a smooth transition before April 2, the conclusion of Sall’s term.
Faye, aged 44, was released from prison just 10 days before the election, alongside his mentor Ousmane Sonko, who was disqualified from running due to a politically motivated criminal conviction.
Sunday witnessed Senegal beginning the voting process for a new president in a highly unpredictable race following a period of three years marked by turmoil and political instability.
With approximately 7.3 million registered voters in the West African nation, Amadou Ba, the former prime minister of the ruling coalition, and the victorious Faye emerged as the leading contenders.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu extended his congratulations to Faye for his election as the President of Senegal. Tinubu also commended the incumbent President Macky Sall for overseeing an election widely praised for its peacefulness and transparency.
AFP