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Senegal: Diomaye Fay won presidential election by 54%

In a historic turn of events, opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye emerged victorious in Senegal’s presidential election, securing over 54 percent of the votes, according to the Dakar appeals court.

These provisional results are based on the tallies obtained from all the polling stations, and they are expected to be officially confirmed by the Constitutional Council in the coming days.

Faye’s remarkable triumph comes just 10 days after his release from prison, making him the youngest president in Senegal’s history.

Faye, a 44-year-old politician, ran on a platform of bringing about a “break” from the prevailing political system. His overwhelming victory indicates a desire for change among the Senegalese population.

Throughout his campaign, Faye has emphasized the need to address the pressing issues facing the country and implement reforms that will benefit all citizens.

Senegal Diomaye Fay won presidential election by 54%
Supporters of opposition presidential candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye and opposition leader Ousmane Sonko celebrate at Diomaye’s coalition headquarters, in Liberte 4, Dakar, on 24 March 2024. AFP – MARCO LONGARI

His primary opponent, Amadou Ba, who represented the ruling coalition, secured more than 35 percent of the vote according to the court’s announcement.

Ba’s strong showing reflects the support he garnered from a significant portion of the electorate, but it was not enough to surpass Faye’s commanding lead.

Meanwhile, Aliou Mamadou Dia, the candidate who came in third place, managed to secure a modest 2.8 percent of the vote.

The outgoing President Macky Sall wasted no time in extending his congratulations to Faye. In a statement, Sall acknowledged that Faye’s victory is not only a personal achievement but also a triumph for Senegalese democracy as a whole.

Sall expressed his optimism and hoped that Faye’s leadership would pave the way for a prosperous and inclusive future for the country.

It is important to note that Senegal has a long history of democratic elections and a strong commitment to upholding the principles of democracy.

Analysts have attributed Faye’s win in the presidential election to a sense of protest against the previous leadership and the deep divisions within the ruling coalition.

Interestingly, Faye’s message resonated strongly with the young voters of Senegal, who make up a significant percentage of the population, with over 60 percent of people in the country being under 25 years old.

This demographic group has been facing significant challenges in finding employment, and Faye’s promises and agenda seemed particularly appealing to them.

The election itself saw massive participation from the Senegalese people, reflecting their enthusiasm and desire for change. This high voter turnout also showcased the level of dissatisfaction with the previous government and the need for a new direction.

In fact, the past three years in the country have been rife with political instability and turmoil, which culminated in violent antigovernment protests. These protests, in turn, garnered much support for the opposition, further eroding the standing of the ruling coalition.

Senegal Diomaye Fay won presidential election by 54%
Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye speaks during a press conference in Dakar, Senegal March 25, 2024. REUTERS/ Luc Gnago/File Photo

The situation in Senegal escalated to such an extent that it led to numerous deaths and the imprisonment of hundreds of individuals, including Faye himself.

His release from detention in the midst of the election campaign only added to the dramatic nature of the political environment. However, despite these challenges, the peaceful transition of power that Faye’s victory represents is a significant milestone for democracy in West Africa.

The region has been plagued by military coups in recent years, with as many as eight occurring since 2020. Therefore, Senegal’s successful democratic transition offers hope for stability and progress in the wider region.

Despite some concerns regarding the conduct of the election, the transparency and fairness of the process have been widely endorsed by domestic and international observers.

With the presidential election now settled, Senegal is entering a new era under Faye’s leadership. The focus will now shift towards implementing the promised reforms and addressing the pressing issues that have been highlighted during the campaign.

As the youngest president in Senegal’s history, Faye faces the daunting task of translating his vision for change into tangible results that will improve the lives of the Senegalese people.


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