The presidential candidate of Senegal who stands against the current system appears highly probable to win the election, resulting in a significant shift in direction for the country in West Africa.
Shortly after being released from jail, Bassirou Diomaye Faye is likely to be announced as the next president of the country as his primary opponent surprisingly conceded defeat by calling him on Monday.
Many experts had predicted that the election would result in a close second round between Faye and Amadou Ba, who was the candidate for the current ruling party.
Despite facing 18 other candidates, Faye’s apparent victory with over 50% of the vote highlights the strong desire among Senegalese for a significant change in political direction represented by him.
This also serves as a strong rebuke to Macky Sall, the current leader who has held his position for 12 years but is exiting amidst ongoing poverty and nearly 1/3 of Senegal’s young population without employment opportunities.
Following the peaceful vote on Sunday, Ba began Monday with a determined attitude, maintaining his belief that there would be a runoff vote against Faye to determine the winner.
But as the afternoon progressed and more candidates joined in congratulating Faye on her victory, Ba surprisingly conceded before the final vote count was released on Friday.
Ba announced: “With consideration of the current trend of the presidential election results, and as we anticipate the official declaration, I extend my congratulations to Faye for winning in the first round.”
Faye’s supporters in Dakar were quick to celebrate upon hearing his withdrawal, causing widespread jubilation in the capital city.
In a larger context, the successful transfer of power in Senegal is a significant achievement for democracy in west Africa, where there have been eight instances of military coups since 2020.
Despite this, the election in Senegal was nearly cancelled when Sall suddenly announced its cancellation last month. However, he changed his decision after facing significant opposition.
Faye’s victory is expected to bring about major transformations in Senegal, possibly leading to a substantial redefinition of its ties with its previous colonizer, France.
Faye is offering a presidential plan for left-leaning pan-Africanism and aims to have Senegal stop using the CFA franc. This currency, which is tied to the euro and supported by the French Treasury, is often condemned as a symbol of colonialism.
The individual, aged 44, who is potentially set to become the youngest president of Senegal, has pledged to reevaluate the large-scale agreements for mining, gas, and oil with international corporations. This year, Senegal is expected to begin extracting hydrocarbons, which is projected to bring potential prosperity and crucial resources to the nation.
At the moment, investors are cautious about the potential change to a government that may not prioritize business-friendly policies like those implemented by Sall’s administration, which have enticed investments in infrastructure.
However, the strategies implemented by Sall, who was directly represented by Ba during the election, were unable to alleviate the financial struggles in one of the most politically stable countries in West Africa.
The UN’s report on world hunger indicates that 39% of Senegalese citizens live in impoverished conditions.
Faye’s win can largely be attributed to Ousmane Sonko, who is the leader of the Pastef party where Faye holds a prominent position.
The two ex-tax inspectors have joined forces with the motto “Diomaye is Sonko”, vowing to combat corruption, promote more fair distribution of wealth, and prioritize the country’s economic interests.
Faye and Sonko were both freed from jail just 10 days prior to the election thanks to a hastily enacted amnesty rule.
Sonko, excluded from the election due to allegations he believes are politically motivated, has a significant support base among the large youth population in Senegal.
Over 50% of the nation’s citizens are younger than 25, and a large portion express worries about joblessness and impoverishment.
Source: theguardian.com
