Monday 26 March 2012

World praises Senegal's political 'maturity'

Africa and the world praised Senegal's presidential vote on Monday as a democratic example for the continent and hailed its outgoing leader for conceding defeat at the polls.

Incumbent Abdoulaye Wade, 85, called his challenger Macky Sall, 50, to offer congratulations and concede defeat after Sunday's run-off vote, scotching fears that he would try to cling to power after 12 years as president.

'We congratulate the Senegalese people for their democratic spirit,' Mr Michael Mann, spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, told a news conference in Brussels.

'Today is a great victory for democracy in Senegal and in Africa. Senegal is a great example for Africa.' The UN's special representative for West Africa, Said Djinnit, hailed the vote as free and fair.

No comments:

Post a Comment