On Tuesday 26 March, the European Union congratulated Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his election as President of Senegal, replacing Macky Sall.
“Senegalese citizens turned out en masse to elect their new President. The orderly and peaceful conduct of the election confirms Senegal's deep-rooted democratic credentials, the solidity of its institutions and the responsibility of its political players”, stressed the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, in a press release.
Stressing the “deep ties” between the European Union and Senegal, he said he was ready to strengthen the bilateral partnership with the future Senegalese authorities.
Released from prison a few days before the election, Mr Faye, aged 44, beat his rival, Amadou Ba, a former Prime Minister, in the first round. He won more than 53% of the vote after more than 90% of polling stations had been counted, according to Reuters.
Led by MEP Malin Björk (The Left Swedish), the EU election observation mission was due to report its initial findings on Tuesday.
Initially scheduled for the end of February, the Senegalese presidential election was postponed, raising fears that Mr Sall might attempt to remain in power (see EUROPE 13343/11). (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)