Senegal: Wade Loses Runoff Election, Concedes Defeat

By Staff Writer

Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade has conceded election defeat in the Sunday's presidential runoff election and congratulated Macky Sall, as preliminary results gave him an overwhelming lead, reports Senegalese state television

The incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade is said to have telephoned Mr. Sall late Sunday to congratulate him, only three-and-a-half hours after polls closed in the West African country.

"It is the whole country that has just won," Amadou Sall, a spokesman for Wade, told the Reuters news agency. "This is a big moment for democracy and President Abdoulaye Wade has respected the voice of the people."

Mr. Sall, a former prime minister who served for years under Wade held a news conference late Sunday. He said the extent of this victory shows the immensity of the people's expectations, something he said he is taking to heart.  Mr. Sall the vote marks a new era for Senegal.  Together, he said, the people of Senegal will quickly get down to the work of recovery that is expected by each person and of each person.

Wade’s decision to seek re-election had infuriated many voters, and intense protests left at least six people dead.

He first took office in 2000 and seen his popularity suffer amid soaring costs of living and unemployment in this country on Africa's western coast.

Opposition activists had said Wade's quest for a third term was unconstitutional and some voters viewed him as yet another example of a long-serving African leader seeking to hang on to power.

Election observers say that the ballot reaffirms Senegal's place as one of Africa's most stable democracies.

The country's electoral commission is expected to announce official provisional results in a few days.