It’s a political earthquake in Senegal. Elected in the first round on Sunday, Bassirou Diomaye Faye will take the lead of the country. Although the official results are not yet known, there is no doubt about the victory of this anti-system opponent and the upcoming transition. The government candidate Amadou Ba admitted his defeat on Monday and called to congratulate him. Outgoing President Macky Sall, who did not run again after being elected and re-elected in 2012 and 2019, praised on X “the smooth running of the election” and congratulated “the winner, Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Faye”.
Internationally Emmanuel Macron also congratulated Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Monday evening and was delighted to “work with him”, in a message on X. France, Senegal’s former colonial power and its first political and economic partner, hopes maintain solid relations with him, even though she has just suffered several setbacks in the region. During his first public appearance since the announcement of his victory, the opponent assured Monday that his country would remain the “safe and reliable ally” of all “respectful” foreign partners.
The “choice of rupture”
Released from prison only ten days ago, the man who turned 44 on Monday also presented himself as the “choice of rupture”. He will indeed become the fifth and youngest president of this country of 18 million inhabitants. Above all, in twelve presidential elections by universal suffrage, this is the first time that an opposition candidate has won in the first round.
On the domestic front, he indicated that his “priority projects” would be “national reconciliation”, “the rebuilding of institutions” and “a significant reduction in the cost of living”. “I am committed to governing with humility, with transparency, to fighting corruption,” he declared.
An alternation that contrasts with neighboring putsches
After three years of agitation and crisis, the election took place without major incident. Despite the tensions of recent years and a last minute postponement of the election, this is the third time that Senegal has practiced alternation at the polls since independence in 1960, while a succession of coups state has installed military regimes among its neighbors postponing the elections to an indefinite date. “The commitment of the Senegalese people to the democratic process is part of the foundations of our deep friendship and our strong bilateral ties,” responded the spokesperson for the American State Department, Matthew Miller.
The election was also closely followed abroad, Senegal being considered one of the most stable countries in West Africa shaken by putsch. Dakar maintains strong relations with the West, while Russia strengthens its surrounding positions.