This is the first time since Senegal’s independence in 1960 that an opponent has won in the first round. The Senegalese Bassirou Diomaye Faye easily won the presidential election on March 24 in the first round with 54.28% of the votes, far ahead of the ruling candidate, Amadou Ba (35.79%), according to the final results announced on Friday March 29 , by the Constitutional Council.
“Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye is elected President of the Republic of Senegal,” explains a decision of the Council consulted Friday by Agence France-Presse and confirming the provisional figures announced Wednesday by the courts. The Council “has not received any dispute” from the 19 candidates, the third of whom, Aliou Mamadou Dia, received 2.8% of the votes.
Emmanuel Macron’s desire “to intensify the partnership”
Emmanuel Macron expressed to the Senegalese president-elect on Friday his “desire to continue and intensify the partnership between Senegal and France”, during their first telephone interview since Sunday’s election won by the anti-system candidate.
The French president “reiterated his warm congratulations”, published Monday evening on social networks upon the announcement of the victory of Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and “welcomed the smooth running of these elections and the sovereign choice of the Senegalese people” , reported the Elysée.
Mr. Faye will be sworn in late Tuesday morning in the new town of Diamniadio, the presidency said. The transfer of power with his predecessor Macky Sall is then planned at the Presidential Palace in Dakar.
Participation was 61.3%. This is less than in 2019, when Mr. Sall obtained a second term, also in the first round, but more than in 2012.
