Senegal vote a 'great victory for democracy in Africa': EU
(BRUSSELS) - The European Union on Monday hailed Senegal's presidential election, won by opposition candidate Macky Sall, as a "great victory for democracy" in Africa.
"I congratulate the Senegalese people, their leaders, their political parties and civil society for the democratic spirit that they demonstrated," EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement.
"Today is a great victory for democracy in Senegal and in Africa," she said, congratulating Sall for his win in Sunday's run-off election against incumbent Abdoulaye Wade.
"I welcome the spirit of responsibility shown by the outgoing president, Abdoulaye Wade," Ashton added.
Senegal was jubilant after an election that brought Wade's increasingly controversial rule to a crushing end and disproved fears that political chaos was on the way in a country regarded as a regional beacon of democracy.
Excitement was palpable in the capital Dakar as Senegalese woke up to the news that Wade had gracefully accepted defeat, scotching fears that the 85-year-old would try to cling on to power.
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