Senegal’s Amadou Ba Concedes, Congratulates Diomaye Faye

Senegal’s ruling coalition extends its congratulations to opposition contender Bassirou Diomaye Faye for his apparent victory in the presidential election, according to provisional results released following Sunday’s poll. Faye appears to have garnered a significant lead over former Prime Minister Amadou Ba. Remarkably, Faye, who was incarcerated less than a fortnight ago, campaigned on a platform pledging sweeping reforms.

The initial stance of ruling coalition candidate Ba, 62, characterized the recent celebrations as premature, asserting the necessity of a run-off vote to ascertain the victor. However, a notable shift occurred when Ba extended his congratulations to Faye on Monday, as conveyed by a government spokesperson to reporters.

“In light of presidential election result trends and while we await the official proclamation, I congratulate… Faye for his victory in the first round,” Ba stated in a released statement.

Throughout the night, various opposition contenders, including the sole female candidate Anta Babacar Ngom, conceded defeat to Faye. Provisional results from Sunday’s poll indicated Faye maintaining a considerable lead over former Prime Minister Amadou Ba. Despite Faye’s recent imprisonment, he campaigned on a platform promising radical change. Official results are anticipated later this week.

The voting turnout in Senegal was substantial, with millions participating in the election to select the nation’s fifth president. This election followed a period of three years marked by political instability, leading to violent anti-government protests and bolstering support for the opposition.

Ba, endorsed by outgoing President Macky Sall, who is concluding his presidency amidst declining popularity after serving two terms plagued by economic challenges, faced off against Faye. Faye, thrust into the spotlight of Senegalese politics just over a week after his release from prison alongside his mentor Ousmane Sonko, who was barred from contesting due to a defamation conviction.

The electoral process unfolded amid months of political unrest in one of Africa’s most politically stable democracies, instigated by President Macky Sall’s attempt to postpone the election until December.

The potential for a peaceful transfer of power in Senegal presents a significant stride for democracy in West Africa, a region marred by eight military coups since 2020. Some of these military regimes have severed ties with traditional powers like France and the United States, opting for support from Russia in combating armed groups operating in neighboring countries.

Expectations are high that the election outcome will usher in stability and an economic upturn for Senegal, especially with the country poised to commence oil and gas production this year.

“I am happy to see there is a wind of change,” remarked Tall, who joined revelers in the night as they waved Senegalese flags, ignited flares, and sounded vuvuzelas. “It is wonderful because democracy has won. Many thought it would not happen,” he added, preferring to be identified by his first name.

Alioune Tine, founder of the think-tank Afrikajom Center and former regional director for West and Central Africa at Amnesty International, expressed optimism about Faye’s victory, deeming it a positive indicator for democracy in Senegal. “Democracy was sick with political violence, with state violence, with death,” Tine remarked to Al Jazeera, alluding to the recent years’ political turmoil. He further highlighted Sonko’s inability to participate in the elections as evidence of democracy’s ailment.

Official results are slated for announcement by the Dakar appeals court on Friday. The electoral commission has yet to disclose the tallies from the 15,633 voting stations.

Mimi Mefo Info