From PRISON to Presidential Palace: BASSIROU DIOMAYE FAYE, 44-year-old Senegalese President, Youngest leader in Africa, Ready to make Economic Life better for the masses
…receives standing ovation from African Union
*BY ALPHA JALLOW/SENEGALESE Bureau Chief, NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER
A MAN OF UNQUESTIONABLE INTEGRITY. He refused to give up behind the prison walls where he was held. Just 10days after his release, destiny came knocking, as the populace of Senegal voted en-masse for BASSIROU DIOMAYE FAYE as their new President-elect, sent the incumbent president packing from the presidential palace.
The African Union, on Friday, congratulated opposition candidate, Faye, on his victory in Senegal’s presidential election and hailed the “unanimous acceptance of the results.”
In a statement written in French Language on the union’s X handle, African Union Commission President, Moussa Faki Mahamat said he “warmly congratulates” Faye on the official declaration of his first-round win, while wishing him “full success in his weighty and noble charge”.
Based on initial results, Faye secured victory in the first round of voting with 54.3 per cent, a substantial lead over the candidate selected by the incumbent Macky Sall, former Prime Minister, Amadou Ba.
The Senegalese Constitutional Court may declare Faye as the official winner before the weekend, potentially allowing for a transition before April 2, which marks the official end of Sall’s tenure.
For the records, Faye, aged 44, was released from prison just 10 days prior to the election, along with his mentor Ousmane Sonko, who was disqualified from running due to a criminal conviction he alleges was politically motivated.
Senegal began voting Sunday for a new president in an unpredictable race following three years of turmoil and political crisis.
Around 7.3 million voters are registered in the West African nation where two favourites have emerged-the governing coalition’s former prime minister Amadou Ba and 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.
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