On Wednesday, March 20, in the alleyways of Dakar’s fabric market, supporters of Bassirous Diomaye Faye, a protege of Ousmane Sonko, and Anta Babacar, Senegal’s lone female presidential candidate, exuded confidence in their respective candidates.
Samba, a vendor at the market, expressed optimism in Diomaye, believing he could address the issue of youth emigration by providing opportunities within Senegal. He emphasized the country’s wealth and the necessity of effective leadership to capitalize on its resources.
Isseu, part of a minority group, voiced support for Anta Babacar. Sporting a Babacar hat and proudly displaying footage from a rally, Diack stressed the importance of women’s empowerment and solidarity. She asserted that women are equally capable of tackling challenges, highlighting Babacar’s competency.
With 19 candidates vying to succeed President Macky Sall, the ruling party has nominated Amadou Ba, Sall’s former prime minister. Babacar Ndiaye, a political analyst from the Dakar-based think tank WATHI, underscored the significance of the youth vote in this election. Senegal’s population is comprised mostly of young people under 35, with economic issues, job opportunities, and industrial development emerging as prominent concerns during the campaign.
Approximately 7.3 million Senegalese citizens are registered to vote, making this election highly anticipated. Observers predict a runoff between the leading candidates in what is touted as the most unpredictable election in recent history.
