On Sunday night, the streets of Dakar, Senegal, were seen full of cheery people celebrating with flags in hand, honking cars and motorcycles in unison amid cries of “Get out, Amadou Ba!”. At midnight, the crowd gathered to sing “Happy Birthday” to the new President-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Faye, 44, who was released from jail just 10 days prior, won the first round of Senegal’s Presidential election on Sunday; leaving his opponent, Amadou Ba far behind in the race.&nbsp;

After Sunday’s poll, Faye is all set to become the youngest-ever president of the West African nation, and the youngest leader in Africa now.&nbsp;

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With his pledge to strike out corruption, restore stability and prioritise economic sovereignty, Faye gave new hope to the people of Senegal, who long have been victims of persistent poverty and corruption.

Faye is endorsed by the country’s controversial yet popular opposition politician Ousmane Sonko. Faye rose to the political ladder from a former tax inspector, under the shadow of Sonko, who was barred from standing in Sunday’s presidential race due to defamation and rape cases.&nbsp;

<h2>Bassirou Diomaye Faye: From prison to Senegal’s youngest president</h2>

Bassirou Diomaye Faye was Sonko’s fellow alum from school, whom he met again when he opted to become a tax inspector in the Tax and Estates Department. Faye and Sonko's relationship grew closer in the Taxes and Estates Union.

Initially, Faye was just a guest at the Sonko’a party called PASTEF, but soon he ascended to become one of the most prominent figures within the party. He also became the brains behind Sonko’s programme for his candidacy in the 2019 Senegalese presidential election.

In February 2021, Faye became the general secretary of PASTEF after Sonko was arrested, being accused of repeated rape by a massage parlour employee. As part of its strategy to win power, Faye attempted to unite the opposition for the 2022 elections, winning 56 seats under the alliance Liberate the People.

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Sonko, a fiery orator, when sent to jail and was barred from running, tapped Faye to run in his place.

Faye was himself jailed on charges of defamation and contempt of court. But PASTEF also endorsed Faye as its candidate, before getting dissolved in 2023.&nbsp;

On January 20, the Senegalese Constitutional Council released the presidential election's final candidate list. Despite legal battles, Sonko was absent from the list. Faye's candidacy was approved despite his detention, as he had no prior convictions. Sonko promptly endorsed Faye for the election.

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On March 15, a day after Faye's release from jail, he gathered hundreds of supporters at his first public appearance as a presidential contender.&nbsp;

Faye ran under the slogan "Diomaye mooy Ousmane", which means "Diomaye is Ousmane" in Wolof, and hoped Sonko's charisma and popular appeal amongst Senegal's youth would boost his campaign. Sunday’s result paid off this tactic.&nbsp;

The national electoral commission has not yet announced the tally, but Ba’s concession followed reports by local media that Faye had won more than 50 per cent of the vote, ruling out a runoff.

(With inputs from agencies)

On Sunday night, the streets of Dakar, Senegal, were seen full of cheery people celebrating with flags in hand, honking cars and motorcycles in unison amid cries of “Get out, Amadou Ba!

On Sunday night, the streets of Dakar, Senegal, were seen full of cheery people celebrating with flags in hand, honking cars and motorcycles in unison amid cries of “Get out, Amadou Ba!”. At midnight, the crowd gathered to sing “Happy Birthday” to the new President-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Faye, 44, who was released from jail just 10 days prior, won the first round of Senegal’s Presidential election on Sunday; leaving his opponent, Amadou Ba far behind in the race. After Sunday’s poll, Faye is all set to become the youngest-ever president of the West African nation, and the youngest leader in Africa now. Also Read | Baltimore's Francis Scott Key bridge collapses after ship collision | Watch With his pledge to strike out corruption, restore stability and prioritise economic sovereignty, Faye gave new hope to the people of Senegal, who long have been victims of persistent poverty and corruption. Faye is endorsed by the country’s controversial yet popular opposition politician Ousmane Sonko. Faye rose to the political ladder from a former tax inspector, under the shadow of Sonko, who was barred from standing in Sunday’s presidential race due to defamation and rape cases. Bassirou Diomaye Faye: From prison to Senegal’s youngest president Bassirou Diomaye Faye was Sonko’s fellow alum from school, whom he met again when he opted to become a tax inspector in the Tax and Estates Department. Faye and Sonko's relationship grew closer in the Taxes and Estates Union. Initially, Faye was just a guest at the Sonko’a party called PASTEF, but soon he ascended to become one of the most prominent figures within the party. He also became the brains behind Sonko’s programme for his candidacy in the 2019 Senegalese presidential election. In February 2021, Faye became the general secretary of PASTEF after Sonko was arrested, being accused of repeated rape by a massage parlour employee. As part of its strategy to win power, Faye attempted to unite the opposition for the 2022 elections, winning 56 seats under the alliance Liberate the People. Also Read | What is APT 31? Chinese hacking group which allegedly stole info from Americans Sonko, a fiery orator, when sent to jail and was barred from running, tapped Faye to run in his place. Faye was himself jailed on charges of defamation and contempt of court. But PASTEF also endorsed Faye as its candidate, before getting dissolved in 2023. On January 20, the Senegalese Constitutional Council released the presidential election's final candidate list. Despite legal battles, Sonko was absent from the list. Faye's candidacy was approved despite his detention, as he had no prior convictions. Sonko promptly endorsed Faye for the election. Also Read | Man stuck in drain, rescued after 36 hours in 'knee deep' stormwater in Australia's Brisbane On March 15, a day after Faye's release from jail, he gathered hundreds of supporters at his first public appearance as a presidential contender. Faye ran under the slogan "Diomaye mooy Ousmane", which means "Diomaye is Ousmane" in Wolof, and hoped Sonko's charisma and popular appeal amongst Senegal's youth would boost his campaign. Sunday’s result paid off this tactic. The national electoral commission has not yet announced the tally, but Ba’s concession followed reports by local media that Faye had won more than 50 per cent of the vote, ruling out a runoff. (With inputs from agencies)

Diomaye Faye: Senegal's new president, at 44, is Africa's youngest leader

Senegal opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye was set to be declared the country's next president after his rival from the ruling coalition called him on Monday to concede defeat.

Results trickling in since polls closed on Sunday evening in the first round of a delayed presidential election rapidly suggested Faye, 44, may have clinched an outright majority. The trends announced on local media sparked street celebrations by his supporters in the capital Dakar.

Ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba, 62, initially called these celebrations premature and said a run-off vote would be needed to determine the winner.

But he then called Faye on Monday to offer his congratulations, a government spokesman told journalists. 
 
Ba&nbsp;had&nbsp;stepped down as prime minister to campaign and&nbsp;was backed by Senegal’s outgoing President&nbsp;Macky Sall.

"In light of presidential election result trends and while we await the official proclamation, I congratulate... Faye for his victory in the first round," Ba said in a statement.

A peaceful transition of power in Senegal would mark a boost for democracy in West Africa, where there have been eight military coups since 2020.

Some of the juntas that seized power have cut ties with traditional power-brokers in the region such as France and the United States, and turned instead to Russia for help in their fight against a jihadist insurgency spreading through countries that neighbour Senegal.

Senegal's international bonds rose on reports that Faye was close to being declared a winner, reversing sharp falls from earlier in the day.

Official results are expected to be announced by the Dakar appeals court on Friday. The electoral commission has not yet communicated on the tallies counted so far out of 15,633 voting stations.

Many hope the vote will bring stability and an economic boost to Senegal after three years of unprecedented political turbulence in one of West Africa's only stable democracies, which is set to start producing oil and gas this year.

Senegal opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye was set to be declared the country's next president after his rival from the ruling coalition called him on Monday to concede defeat.

Senegal opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye was set to be declared the country's next president after his rival from the ruling coalition called him on Monday to concede defeat. Results trickling in since polls closed on Sunday evening in the first round of a delayed presidential election rapidly suggested Faye, 44, may have clinched an outright majority. The trends announced on local media sparked street celebrations by his supporters in the capital Dakar. Ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba, 62, initially called these celebrations premature and said a run-off vote would be needed to determine the winner. But he then called Faye on Monday to offer his congratulations, a government spokesman told journalists. Ba had stepped down as prime minister to campaign and was backed by Senegal’s outgoing President Macky Sall. "In light of presidential election result trends and while we await the official proclamation, I congratulate... Faye for his victory in the first round," Ba said in a statement. A peaceful transition of power in Senegal would mark a boost for democracy in West Africa, where there have been eight military coups since 2020. Some of the juntas that seized power have cut ties with traditional power-brokers in the region such as France and the United States, and turned instead to Russia for help in their fight against a jihadist insurgency spreading through countries that neighbour Senegal. Senegal's international bonds rose on reports that Faye was close to being declared a winner, reversing sharp falls from earlier in the day. Official results are expected to be announced by the Dakar appeals court on Friday. The electoral commission has not yet communicated on the tallies counted so far out of 15,633 voting stations. Many hope the vote will bring stability and an economic boost to Senegal after three years of unprecedented political turbulence in one of West Africa's only stable democracies, which is set to start producing oil and gas this year.

Senegal opposition leader Faye set to become president as ruling coalition candidate concedes

Senegal’s top opposition leader has suffered major setbacks in his quest to contest the presidency after the Supreme Court upheld a defamation conviction against him and the Constitutional Council later rejected his application to be a presidential candidate.

Senegal top court rejects opposition leader Sonko's appeal