NDI’s Chris Fomunyoh Hails Senegal’s Resilient Democracy.

By Samuel Ouma

Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, Senior Associate for Africa and Regional Director at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, has commended Senegal on its smooth and successful presidential elections.

Speaking to BBC News, Dr. Fomunyoh said the elections were peaceful, and a large number of Senegalese turned out to vote.

“It was relatively calm. I was impressed by the fact that people showed up right on time. The polling sites open early and voters turned out in large number,” he said.

According to Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, the elections demonstrated the enduring strength of Senegal's democratic principles. He stated that this sends a strong message to West Africa and the entire African continent.

“If Senegal comes out of this, its democracy will be strengthened stronger and people feeling empowered. The messages which go out that populations count the need, their voices should be taken seriously by leaders and political elites and civil society has a crucial role to play in every society," Dr. Fomunyoh said while referring to the role played by some Senegalese and civil society movements to oppose the postponement of the elections.

Senegalese voted on Sunday, March 26, to elect their fifth president to replace the outgoing Macky Sall.

Provisional results show that the opposition candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, is leading with 53.7 per cent of the vote on tallies from 90 per cent of polling stations. His main rival, Amadou Ba from the ruling coalition, is second with 32.6 per cent.

Reports indicate that  Macky Sall’s candidate Amadou has conceded defeat; hence, Diomaye is set to be declared the President of the West African nation. Other opposition candidates and President Sall have also congratulated him.

Diomaye's victory is historic, given that he was only released ten days before the elections after serving an 11-month sentence for an inflammatory Facebook post deemed toxic by Senegalese authorities.