Pockets of euphoria surfaced hours after the polls closed in Senegal as opposition supporters hit the streets to celebrate what they see as a turning point in the country’s politics. The emotions ran high even as final vote tallies remained unavailable, and questions about the definitive results loomed large. Eyes tracked Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the challenger allied with the political bloc led by Ousmane Sonko, the strongman of the opposition.
As counting began, a handful of political figures and candidates emerged to offer congratulations. Yet the path to a clear conclusion remained uncertain, with the outcome of these presidential elections still in flux after President Macky Sall had delayed voting a second time. The spectacle underscored a broader political crisis that many believed the ballot sought to resolve.
More than seven million Senegalese were called to vote on a Sunday that unfolded with notable calm. The election featured a record number of candidates in the nation’s history, initially listing 19 contenders before two withdrew. The central question, pending the final results, was whether any candidate would surpass the 50 percent threshold required for an outright victory; if not, a second round would be required.
Cara a cara
In the ballot, voters faced a field of about a dozen options after withdrawals, but analysts have distilled the race to a face‑off between Diomaye Faye, the opposition candidate, and Amadou Ba, the prime minister and a candidate favored by the presidency. The mood on election night mirrored the contrast between street chants of Diomaye president and the government party’s sober surveillance of the process.
At the ruling party’s headquarters, Ba’s team sounded more cautious, conceding in a magazine interview that a second round was possible in the worst-case scenario. The opposition’s momentum, however, was palpable and sparked a public sense that a political renewal might be on the horizon. A spokesperson for the opposition made clear that the group would honor the procedures established by the electoral authorities and urged other candidates to do the same. The elections were also framed by some as a plebiscite on the policies of Macky Sall and his party, who had already signaled they would not seek another term.
Aplazamiento electoral
The end of Macky Sall’s tenure did not come without turbulence. The vote had originally been slated for February 25, but Sall chose to postpone. Initial plans offered no concrete date, then several options surfaced, including late-year polls, before the government finally set March 24 as the election day. The decision followed a ruling by the Constitutional Council urging an electoral vote before Sall’s mandate ends on April 2. The political drama intensified on the street, with days of protests marking the buildup.
Mid-March brought a government‑brokered amnesty aimed at releasing hundreds of opposition figures, including Sonko and Faye, who had been among the leading critics of the president. The two figures became emblematic of a movement promising a break with the past and a renewal of political life. Their momentum resonated particularly with younger voters, who have long sought more direct influence over the country’s future.
These two figures symbolize a broader push for governance reform. The party backing the opposition brands itself as a rupture in the political order and a stand against colonial-era legacies, enjoying strong support among the youth and urban communities.
Candidatos and core themes persisted as the nation awaited the official verdict, a moment that could redefine Senegal’s political trajectory for years to come. Analysts noted that the outcome would likely influence not just domestic policy but regional perspectives on governance and reform, helping to shape the balance of power in West Africa for the near term. Attribution: coverage from regional outlets including Jeune Afrique and related reporting partners.