Senegal Presidential Elections: Faye Leads the Pack from the Start

In Senegal’s presidential election, early results indicate that opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye is leading, prompting celebrations among his supporters. However, the main rival from the ruling coalition, former prime minister Amadou Ba, stated that a runoff might be necessary to determine the final winner.

The election follows a period of political turbulence in Senegal, with millions of voters participating in a peaceful day of voting to choose the country’s fifth president. Outgoing President Macky Sall did not seek re-election after serving two terms marked by unrest and concerns about his potential mandate extension.

With around 7.3 million registered voters and a turnout of approximately 71%, the election proceeded smoothly, with no major incidents reported. The initial tallies showed Faye leading in the majority of votes, leading to celebrations in the capital Dakar and declarations of victory from several opposition candidates.

Faye, supported by jailed opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, campaigned on promises to address corruption, restore stability, and prioritize economic sovereignty, particularly targeting the youth demographic affected by unemployment.

Final provisional results are expected soon, with a potential second round of voting if no candidate secures a majority. The outcome of the election will determine the future leadership of Senegal and its trajectory in addressing key challenges such as economic hardship and political stability.