Bassirou Faye to become president of Senegal as rival admits defeat

Senegal's ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba has conceded victory to the opposition's Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Sunday's presidential election, according to a government official.

According to unofficial results, Mr Faye appears to have a significant advantage over Mr Ba.

Mr Faye, who had spent ten days in prison before the vote, ran his campaign on promising radical change.

The long-awaited official results from the delayed election are anticipated to be released in the coming days.

After months of political turmoil, one of Africa's most stable democracies held a vote. Outgoing President Macky Sall had attempted to postpone the election until December.

Several of the other 15 candidates had already admitted defeat.

President Sall has congratulated Mr. Faye, emphasising that this victory is a significant achievement for the people of Senegal.

Mr Faye, who celebrated his 44th birthday on Monday, ran as an independent candidate. However, he held a prominent position within the now-defunct Pastef party, headed by Ousmane Sonko, a widely admired figure seen as a potential successor to Mr. Sall.

However, Mr Sonko's disqualification from the election was due to a defamation conviction, which he claimed was driven by political motives. Mr Sonko expressed his support for Mr Faye's presidential campaign.

As the first set of results was announced on television overnight, the news of Mr Faye's majority win in the votes counted up to that point sparked jubilant celebrations in the capital city of Dakar.

The streets were filled with the vibrant energy of young people as they danced, sang, proudly waved the Senegalese flag, and filled the air with the sound of car horns.

Residents in Ndiaganiao, Mr Faye's hometown located 80km (50 miles) east of Dakar, were seen exchanging congratulations, seemingly celebrating this as a triumph for the entire community.

Senegal's recent victory is a beacon of hope for the nation's future following a tumultuous political crisis.