TheCable

Amadou Ba, former prime minister and the presidential candidate of the ruling coalition in Senegal, has congratulated Bassirou Faye, candidate of the opposition party, ahead of the official declaration of results.

Many Senegalese on Sunday had gone to polling stations to vote for the next president.

Earlier, supporters of Faye of the PASTEF party, stormed the capital city of Dakar to celebrate the early lead of their candidate.

The celebration comes after more than five presidential candidates sent a congratulatory message to Faye.

Faye, who was recently released from prison alongside Ousmane Sanko, the top opposition leader, was said to have defeated Ba, based on preliminary results.

Ba, who was supported by Macky Sall, the outgoing president, said the celebration of the opposition party was “premature”.

Despite speculations of a run-off poll, Ba, in a statement on Monday shared by his campaign team, congratulated Faye for winning the first round of the election.

He also prayed for Faye’s success as “he assumes high office”.

“In view of the trends in the results of the presidential election and while awaiting the official proclamation, I congratulate President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye for his victory in the first round,” the statement reads.

“I pray to the Almighty to grant him the energy and strength necessary to assume this high office at the head of our country.

“I wish him much success and success for the well-being of the Senegalese people.”

Forty-four-year-old Faye was chosen by Ousmane Sanko, the top opposition leader, to replace him in the presidential race after he was detained and barred from contesting in the election.

The official results are expected to be announced days after the election by the department census commission in line with the constitution and electoral law of Senegal.