By Micheal Chukwuebuka, Reporting
A year-long popular activist has been elected President of Senegal. Born on 25th March, 1980, President-Elect Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, who was released from prison 10 days before last Sunday’s election, won the vote with 54.3 percentage, ahead of President Macky Sall’s candidate Amadou Ba.
Faye giving a speech at a conference
Stonix News gathered from multiple sources that the former activist had been locked up in jail by outgoing President Macky Sall for 11 months on charges of seditious libel and also for Contempt of Court but was not convicted of the crimes.
He was charged over his activism on behalf of his political leader.
Faye arriving at the presidential palace on Thursday. – Photo Credit, CGTN Africa
Senegal President-Elect, according to reports, never had presidential ambitions but got nominated whilst he was in jail.
He replaced Ousman Sonko, a political leader who was banned from contesting for the presidency due to a sex-related conviction.
Despite campaigning for just 10 days before the presidential election, Faye, who was backed by former president Abdoulaye Wade amongst other political leaders in the country, went on to win the poll.
Faye and the outgoing President Macky Sall (Middle)
On Thursday, as a way congratulating Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President Macky Sall welcomed his soon-to-be successor at the presidential palace.
The meeting suggested a peaceful and swift handover after weeks of crisis surrounding the election.
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