Senegal: Constitutional Council affirms Faye’s election success

Senegal’s Constitutional Council has officially confirmed the presidential election victory of opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

This automatically paves the way for his inauguration as the country’s fifth and one of the youngest presidents in history.

The top court validated the provisional results announced on Wednesday after collations from all polling stations across the country.

Mr Faye emerged victorious in the delayed election with more than 54% of votes as he defeated ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba, who had over 35% to his credit.

The opposition candidate will be sworn in to replace outgoing President Macky Sall on April 2.

Mr Faye pledged to rule Senegal with humility and fight corruption.

He has also promised to immediately address youth unemployment and the high cost of living that have taken a huge toll on the country.

The president-elect, a member of the Pastef party led by Ousmane Sonko, was recently released from jail before the vote.

Sonko could not run in the polls after he was disqualified because of a defamation conviction.

The firebrand opposition figure declared his backing for Mr Faye, the co-creator of his now dissolved Pastef party, who was also detained almost a year ago on charges including defamation and contempt of court.

The two were later released in an amnesty law passed this month by the outgoing president, Macky Sall.