AU hails outgoing Senegalese President for admitting defeat

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The African Union (AU) Monday hailed outgoing President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal for conceding defeat in the country's presidential runoff on Sunday.

In a statement issued in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, the AU also expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the polls.

Earlier, leaders including Presidents Goodluck Jonathan of  regional powerhouse Nigeria and Nicolas Sarkozy of Senegal’s former colonial master, France, also praised President Wade for his show of political maturity.

In a surprise move just hours after voting ended on Sunday evening, President Wade called his opponent, former Prime Minister Macky Sall, to congratulate him on his victory.

“The choice of alternation and the recognition, by the outgoing President, of the victory of his adversary, are eloquent testimony to the vitality of democracy in Senegal and the maturity of the Senegalese political actors,” the AU said.

“The smooth organization of the presidential election is proof that Africa, despite difficulty, continues to make significant progress in the area of democracy and electoral transparency,'' it added.
-0- PANA OR/SEG 26Mar2012