Opposition chief Bassirou Diomaye Faye is about to be formally declared winner of the tightly contested presidential election as coalition’s ruling get together candidate Amadou Ba conceded defeat, paving manner for a paradigm shift in West Africa’s extra steady democracies.

Ba, 62, had earlier mentioned celebrations have been untimely, given that fifty % of the full votes are wanted to win, noting {that a} run-off is unlikely.

Nonetheless, earlier than the official announcement is made, the previous prime minister has congratulated the 44-year-old on the victory of the primary spherical.

“In view of the traits within the outcomes of the presidential election and whereas awaiting the official proclamation, I congratulate President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye on his victory within the first spherical,” Ba mentioned in a press release on Monday within the capital, Dakar.

The concession got here earlier than the Autonomous Nationwide Electoral Fee launched any official outcomes from the vote.

Faye, a former tax inspector and a staunch advocate of Pan-Africanism motion, although with no observe document in governance, has promised numerous reforms, particularly seeing that the nation’s native foreign money regains its worth.

If declared winner, Faye would be the youngest democratically elected president in Senagal and the coast of West Africa.