Bassirou Diomaye Faye wins presidency in Senegal

By Fatma Esma Arslan

DAKAR, Senegal (AA) - The final results of the March 24 presidential election in Senegal were announced Friday with Bassirou Diomaye Faye winning with 54.2% of the vote. according to the Constitutional Council.

Amadou Ba received 35.7% and Aliou Mamadou Dia garnered 2.8%. Former Dakar Mayor Khalifa Sall had 1.5%.

The remaining 15 candidates did not reach a 1% share in the election that recorded voter turnout at 61.3%.

Faye, who will take the reins from President Macky Sall in a ceremony on April 2, will assume the post after taking the oath of office.

-Released from prison just 10 days before election

After opposition leader Ousmane Sonko lost his eligibility to run in the election due to a prison sentence for defamation, it was decided that his right-hand man, Faye, would compete in his place.

Faye and Sonko, who were detained when the election process began, were released March 14, benefiting from political amnesty, 10 days before the polls.

Despite lacking any political experience, Faye emerged victorious in the first round on March 24.

Faye, 44, not only became the youngest elected president in Senegal but also in Africa.

He also made history as the first opposition presidential candidate to be elected in the first round in Senegal.