Rival concedes as 44-year-old Senegalese set to become youngest elected African president

44-year-old Senegalese politician, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, is on course of being the youngest elected leader on the African continent.

Faye, who was in prison 10 days before the election is leading in the race.

While Faye’s main rival, Amadou Ba, from the ruling coalition had said a run-off might happen to determine the winner, at least five of the 19 candidates in the race issued statements to congratulate Faye as of early Monday.

“For our part, and considering the feedback of the results from our team of experts, we are certain that, in the worst case scenario, we will go to a run-off,” Ba, a former Senegalese prime minister, had said.

But as Faye’s lead got wider, Ba called to concede victory in Sunday’s presidential elections, BBC quoted a government official to have said.

Faye’s lead had spurred his followers to troop out in celebration on the streets of the capital, Dakar, on Sunday.

Reports revealed that millions took part in a peaceful day of voting to elect Senegal’s fifth president after three years of unprecedented political turbulence that triggered violent anti-government protests and bolstered support for the opposition.

Faye is a Senegalese politician and a former tax inspector, who also served as the General Secretary of dissolved PASTEF.

He contested the highest political position in the West African country in place of disqualified candidate Ousmane Sonko.

Senegalese voters had a choice of 19 contenders to replace Sall, who is stepping down after a second term marred by unrest over the prosecution of opposition leader Sonko.

The incumbent was not on the ballot for the first time in Senegal’s history. His ruling coalition picked Ba, 62, as its candidate.

In a country of over 18 million people, 7.3 million people were registered to vote, and about 71 percent voter turnout was recorded, Senegal’s State TV reported.