Former Senegal prime minister concedes defeat in presidential election to opposition candidate
A former Senegalese prime minister has conceded defeat in the presidential election to the opposition candidate based on preliminary results, a day after the vote was conducted.
In a statement released by his campaign on Monday, Amadou Ba congratulated opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye and extended his best wishes for success.
The victory of the opposition candidate in the first round of elections highlighted widespread frustration among the youth over high unemployment rates and governance issues in the West African nation. Faye, who received backing from popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, has pledged to combat government corruption and safeguard Senegal's interests.
The election on Sunday followed months of uncertainty and unrest, triggered by President Macky Sall's unsuccessful attempt to postpone the election until the end of the year. The subsequent protests challenged Senegal's reputation as a stable democracy in a region plagued by coup attempts in recent years.
Senegal awaited the election results anxiously on Monday, with observers noting a peaceful voting process and a high turnout. Preliminary results from fully counted polling stations circulated on social media overnight, with official announcements anticipated later in the week.
With more than 7 million registered voters in a population of roughly 17 million, a candidate must secure over 50% of the votes to win in the first round; otherwise, a runoff election is required.
Analysts predict a probable runoff between opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye and former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, representing the governing party.
Despite some opposition supporters claiming victory for their candidate on Sunday night, a sense of tension persisted in certain areas during the vote counting process. In the capital, Dakar, celebrations erupted as supporters expressed confidence in Faye's victory.
This election marks Senegal's fourth democratic transition of power since gaining independence from France over six decades ago. Initially scheduled for a month earlier, the election was postponed after President Macky Sall's bid to delay it until year-end was unsuccessful. Sall, ineligible for a third term as per the constitution, is set to step down on April 2 as his mandate concludes.
Following months of unrest sparked by the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko last summer and concerns about presidential tenure extension, Sonko's release ahead of the election eased tensions. Sonko was barred from contesting due to a prior conviction, leading Faye to run in his place.
Despite the overall peaceful election process, some areas experienced tension during vote counting, as witnessed in the northern fishing town of Saint Louis, where a government delegation faced jeers and stones upon entering a closed polling station.
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