Since Senegal’s independence more than 60 years ago, there have been four democratic handovers of power.
Senegalese went to the poll on Sunday, March 24, 2024. It was another day of jubilation in Senegal after the release of Ousmane Sonko on Thursday, March 14, ahead of the election.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a key ally of Sonko, knocked the incumbent president, Macky Sall, off the ring. Following the conclusion of the presidential election, Amadou Ba, the candidate for the ruling coalition in Senegal, has announced his defeat. To accept the opposition candidate’s victory in Sunday’s presidential election, Ba contacted Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Monday.
In order to advance to the runoff phase, a candidate needs to secure a majority of the vote—more than 50%. However, supporters of the opposition claim that the preliminary trends are unquestionable and that a run-off election is impossible.
Albeit, the results are yet to be officially announced, Senegalese are in high spirits.
By Chidimma NWAFOR
