Opposition figure who became Senegal's president-elect won over 54% of the vote, results show
Results from Senegal’s tightly contested presidential election show a previously little-known opposition figure won over 54% of the votes
By BABACAR DIONE
Published - Mar 27, 2024, 08:24 PM ET
Last Updated - Mar 27, 2024, 08:24 PM EDT
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegal's little-known opposition figure who was elected president this week in a tightly contested race won over 54% of the votes, according to results released on Wednesday.
The presidential election on Sunday marked a stunning victory for 44-year-old Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was freed from prison less than two weeks ago and is now due to be the youngest leader of the West African nation.
The government-backed candidate, former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, conceded to Faye on Monday. President Macky Sall, who had backed Ba, also declared Faye the winner.
At a news conference in Dakar, the court of appeals announced Wednesday that Faye won 54.28% of the vote. Ba garnered 35.47% of the votes cast.
