Senegal's election: 10 things to know about likely winner Diomaye Faye

Following Sunday's presidential elections in Senegal, initial results indicate that opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye is leading, sparking celebrations among his supporters in the streets of Dakar. There is optimism that a new administration under the 44-year-old will address long-standing issues of poverty and corruption.

Former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, the candidate from the governing coalition, conceded defeat to Faye on Monday, shortly after indicating readiness for a run-off vote. A candidate needs more than 50% of votes to avoid a run-off. At least seven of the 19 candidates in the race have issued statements congratulating Faye on his win.

Around 71% of the 7.3 million registered voters showed up to the polls. As vote counting continues, official results are anticipated in the coming days. Below are 10 quick facts about the leading presidential candidate Faye, encompassing his background, entry into politics, campaign promises, and ideologies.

1 - Born in 1980 in Ndiaganiao, west-central Senegal, Faye obtained his baccalaureate in 2000 and later secured a master’s degree in law

2 - Subsequently, he passed competitive exams, gaining admission to both the National School of Administration (ENA) and the magistracy in 2004

3 - He later built a career as a tax inspector in the Tax and Estates department post-graduation. It was there Faye forged a friendship with Sonko, a fellow alum from the same school and a future Politician in Senegal

4 - In 2014, Sonko founded the left-wing populist Patriots of Senegal (PASTEF) party and Faye became a leader in PASTEF under Sonko's mentorship. Organized protests with Sonko against President Macky Sall, accusing his government of corruption and failing to address chronic poverty

5 - In April 2023, Faye was arrested on charges including spreading false news, contempt of court, and defamation for a social media post, and PASTEF party was dissolved in July 2023 for causing unrest

6 - Thus, Faye contested the 2024 election as an independent candidate endorsed by the dissolved PASTEF party

7 - Appealed to urban youth frustrated by over 20% unemployment rate in Senegal

8 - Released from prison on March 14, 2024, days before the election, after an amnesty law passed

9 - At age 44, Faye would become Africa's youngest president and he pledges to weed out corruption, restore stability, and prioritize economic sovereignty if elected

10 - He has also proposed introducing a new currency to replace the CFA franc and renegotiating mining/hydrocarbon contracts