The African Union, on Friday, praised Bassirou Faye, the opposition candidate, for winning the presidential election in Senegal and appreciated the widespread acceptance of the results.
African Union Commission President, Moussa Faki Mahamat, expressed warm congratulations to Faye on his official victory and wished him success in his significant responsibility, in a statement written in French on the union’s X handle.
According to preliminary results, Faye won the first round of voting with 54.3 percent, a significant lead over the candidate backed by the current President Macky Sall, former Prime Minister Amadou Ba.
The Senegalese Constitutional Court might announce Faye as the official winner before the weekend, potentially allowing for a smooth transition before April 2, the end of Sall’s term.
Faye, aged 44, was freed from prison just 10 days before the election, along with his mentor Ousmane Sonko, who was barred from running due to a criminal conviction he claims was politically motivated.
Senegal began voting Sunday for a new president in an uncertain election following three years of unrest and political turmoil.
Around 7.3 million voters are registered in the West African nation where two favorites have emerged – the governing coalition’s former prime minister, Amadou Ba, and the winner, Faye.
President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, congratulated Faye on his election as the President of the Republic of Senegal.
He also congratulated incumbent President, Macky Sall, for overseeing an election widely deemed as peaceful and transparent.
