Senegal: Ruling coalition concedes defeat to Opposition leader Faye

Government spokesman Abdou Karim Fofana told journalists on Monday that the ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba had called Bassirou Diomaye Faye to concede defeat following Sunday elections. 

Faye, the opposition leader, was leading the race in Senegal elections, according to local media reporting. Official results are expected later this week.

The vote on Sunday was largely peaceful with a high turnout, observers said. Results from polling stations that had completed counting were posted overnight on social media. 

Celebrations in Dakar

By Monday, several of the candidates on the ballot had already conceded to Faye, who had been released from jail just days ago before the vote. Faye is a senior official in the party led by popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.

Some opposition supporters Sunday night were adamant their candidate had already won. In the capital, Dakar, some people sat on car rooftops chanting, while others carried flags, and banners and set off fireworks saying Faye would win outright.

More to come…