Opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye wins Senegal’s presidential election

According to the court, provisional results were derived from a comprehensive tally of votes from all polling stations, setting the stage for confirmation by the Constitutional Council in the coming days.

Faye's triumph comes just 10 days after his release from prison, positioning him to become Senegal's youngest president at 44. He has expressed a desire for a "break" from the current political system.

Ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba secured more than 35 percent of the vote, while third-placed candidate Aliou Mamadou Dia received 2.8 percent.

Outgoing President Macky Sall extended his congratulations to Faye, hailing the win as "a victory for Senegalese democracy."

Analysts attribute Faye's success to public discontent with the incumbent leadership and internal divisions within the ruling coalition.

Faye's message resonated strongly with young voters, who make up over 60 percent of the population and face challenges in finding employment.

Millions of Senegalese participated in the election, marking a significant moment in the country's democratic history.

The election followed three years of political turbulence, marked by violent antigovernment protests that bolstered support for the opposition.

The transition of power in Senegal holds the promise of advancing democracy in West Africa, where military coups have been prevalent in recent years. (ILKHA)