The African Union (AU) "warmly congratulated" anti-system opponent Bassirou Diomaye Faye for his victory in the presidential election in Senegal, the AU said in a statement on Friday March 29, while welcoming "the unanimous acceptance of results".

The President of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, "warmly congratulates President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on the occasion of the official proclamation of his election in the first round" with more than 54% of the votes in Sunday's ballot and he wishes "full success in his heavy and noble charge", according to the press release.

Press release from the President of the African Union Commission @AUC_MoussaFaki on the election of Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Faye President of the Republic of Senegal.


https://t.co/pyKFJMUCad pic.twitter.com/o6uDLWhHMP

— African Union (@_AfricanUnion) March 29, 2024

Bassirou Diomaye Faye, 44, never before held a national elective office, will become the fifth president of this West African country of 18 million inhabitants, and the youngest in its history.

“Rooting” of democracy

Bassirou Diomaye Faye, benefiting from an amnesty law, came out of 11 months of imprisonment 10 days before Sunday's election, at the same time as his guide and leader of their dissolved party Ousmane Sonko.

According to the provisional final results, which must still be validated by the Constitutional Council, Bassirou Diomaye Faye largely won in the first round of the presidential election with 54.28% of the votes, far ahead of the government candidate Amadou Ba (35. 79%).

Read alsoSenegal: how to explain the victory of Bassirou Diomaye Faye in the first round?

As of Monday, Amadou Ba recognized the victory of the anti-system opponent.

In its press release, the AU "rejoices at the unanimous acceptance of the results (...) by the entire Senegalese political class" which "attests to the deep roots of democratic traditions in this flagship country in African democracy".

With AFP

The France 24 summary of the week

invites you to look back at the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 application