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Senegalese Opposition Candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye Leads Early Election Results

HeadlineMar 25, 2024

In Senegal, early results from Sunday’s presidential election put opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye in the lead. At least five of the 18 other candidates already conceded to Faye, who is backed by the popular opposition figure Ousmane Sonko, who himself is barred from running. But former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, who has the backing of outgoing President Macky Sall, said he expects the vote could head to a runoff. A final provisional vote tally is expected Tuesday. Supporters of Sonko and Faye took to the streets to celebrate nonetheless.

Dakar resident: “I say it’s great, because it’s democracy that’s winning. Everyone thought it would never happen. Today, if these results are indeed confirmed, it’s Senegal that absolutely wins.”

Sunday’s vote had been rescheduled after President Sall sought to delay the election, leading to large protests and accusations of an attempted power grab. Sonko and Faye were released from prison just days before the election, after Sall granted the men amnesty.

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