In Senegal’s presidential election, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the candidate challenging the status quo, seemed to be gaining an early lead on Monday.
This election comes after a period marked by unrest and political turmoil. Despite this, the ruling coalition remains confident that a second-round vote is forthcoming.
The victor of the election will have the responsibility of guiding Senegal—often seen as a democratic lighthouse amidst the political instability of West Africa—through its current challenges. This includes overseeing the imminent production of the nation’s oil and gas reserves.
The final election results are shrouded in uncertainty, with official tallies not due until week’s end. A clear majority is necessary to secure a victory in the first round.
Faye, an opposition leader, has committed to bringing significant reform and implementing a left-wing pan-Africanist agenda. Early counts from polling stations, reported by local media and online platforms, place him ahead of Amadou Ba, the candidate backed by the current government.
A group of presidential candidates, numbering at least seven, have extended their congratulations to Faye based on the preliminary vote count. “Congratulations to Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his unquestionable victory,” declared Anta Babacar Ngom, the sole female contender, on X. Dethie Fall also praised Faye, acknowledging his “fine victory” in light of the strong early trends.
Faye, aged 44, and Ba, aged 62, both with backgrounds as tax inspectors, were the leading contenders among a field of 17 candidates.
Supporters flocked to Faye’s headquarters in Dakar on Sunday evening, celebrating with music and dance. Meanwhile, the youth took to the streets on motorbikes, chanting aspirations of reaching the presidential palace.
Contrastingly, the mood was subdued at Ba’s campaign base, where his team, despite the early results, expressed certainty of advancing to a runoff. They also leveled accusations of “manipulation” against Faye’s campaign.
The campaign further cautioned against the country embarking on a “populist adventure.”
Should Faye, representing the opposition, secure a win, it could signal a significant shift in Senegal’s governance. He has vowed to reclaim national “sovereignty,” tackle corruption, and ensure a fairer distribution of wealth.
Faye has also committed to renegotiating the terms of existing mining, gas, and oil agreements with international corporations. These sectors are poised to begin hydrocarbon production within the year.
As he cast his vote, Faye expressed his belief in being the embodiment of change, superior to any other candidate. Ba, on the other hand, positioned himself as the candidate of continuity, following the path of the incumbent President Macky Sall.
Both candidates have aimed their campaigns at the nation’s youth, a critical demographic in a country where half the population is under the age of 20.
Diaraaf Gaye, a young shopkeeper, voiced his support for Faye, emphasizing the need for a fresh start with the younger generation at the helm.
The election, initially scheduled for February 25, was delayed at the last minute by President Sall, sparking the most severe political crisis in recent memory, resulting in four fatalities.
Over seven million citizens were eligible to vote on Sunday. Voters lined up peacefully at polling stations, many having risen early for pre-dawn prayers before casting their ballots.
Mita Diop, a local merchant, expressed relief at the election’s commencement, acknowledging the recent difficulties faced by the nation.
Ousmane Sonko, a prominent opposition leader prevented from running due to legal issues, noted the significant turnout of young voters.
“We are convinced that at the end of this day the victory will be dazzling,” Sonko said, referring to his deputy and endorsed candidate, Faye, as he voted in his southern stronghold of Ziguinchor.
Hundreds of observers from civil society, the African Union, the ECOWAS regional group and the European Union were on hand.
The head of the EU mission, Malin Bjork, said voting had taken place “calmly, efficiently and (in a) very orderly manner”.
After weeks of confusion, Senegal’s top constitutional body overruled Sall’s attempt to delay the vote until December and forced him to reset the date to March 24, resulting in a rushed campaign that clashed with the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Ba, Sall’s hand-picked would-be successor would inherit Sall’s legacy which includes mass arrests, persistent poverty, 20-percent unemployment and thousands of migrants setting off on the perilous voyage to Europe each year.
Several episodes of unrest triggered partly by a stand-off between firebrand Sonko and the state have seen dozens killed and hundreds arrested since 2021.