Senegal top court confirms Bassirou Diomaye Faye's election victory

Senegal's Constitutional Council on Friday confirmed the presidential election victory of opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, paving the way for his inauguration as the country's fifth president.

The top court validated provisional results announced on Wednesday based on vote tallies from 100% of polling stations, adding that no objections had been raised by the other contenders.

Faye won more than 54% of votes in last Sunday's delayed presidential poll, with ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba taking over 35%.

He is expected to be sworn in to replace outgoing President Macky Sall on April 2.

Faye's victory is the first time a Senegalese opposition candidate won the election in the first round since independence in 1960.

Earlier on Friday, the African Union (AU) congratulated Faye on his victory, hailing the "unanimous acceptance of the results".

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, Reuters)Story by FRANCE 24