DAKAR, March 20 (AFP) - Opposition supporters flooded joyously
on to Dakar's streets early Monday as their candidate, Abdoulaye
Wade, claimed victory in the presidential election.
Despite the fact that only partial, unofficial results were in,
the Wade supporters enthusiastically greeted the Senegalese
Democratic Party (SDP) leader's claim to have unseated incumbent
president Abdou Diouf.
Diouf's Socialist Party has enjoyed uninterrupted rule in the
four decades since Senegal's independence.
Just before midnight (GMT) Wade proclaimed himself the victor,
in a telephone interview with French television, "with 60 to 63
percent of the votes". That message was relayed on Senegalese radio
and many residents of Dakar, which is opposition territory, exploded
with joy.
Lots of little groups appeared on the capital's streets,
carrying pictures and likenesses of Wade, and walked the six
kilometres (four miles) to the presidential quarter where Wade
lives.
There the mood was joyful as thousands congregated, some dancing
in the streets and others shouting "President Wade" and "We've won,
we've won".
Even arriving journalists were hailed by the enthusiastic crowd:
"Thanks to the press. You have spoken well for Senegal," some
cried.
A British television cameraman got some unusual footage, being
hoisted onto shoulders in the middle of the throng.
Wade himself was hoisted onto the roof of a car where he gave
his first comments to rounds of cheers and applause.
The crowd's enthusiasm increased when Wade appeared next to
Mustapha Niasse, the former foreign minister who quit Diouf's party
last year to found the Alliance of Progressive Forces (APF).
Niasse came third in the first round of voting and will become
prime minister if Wade is confirmed as winner of Sunday's
presidential run-off.
Known as a political animal but respected as a pious Muslim,
Wade gave thanks to Allah. "Everything happens according to god's
wishes," he said, thanking and congratulating the Senegalese
people.
Late into the night the Senegalese capital resounded to the
oppisition supporters' cries of "change", the slogan Wade has
adopted during 26 years in opposition, as the dancing in the streets
continued.
"We have told everyone we will shave our heads to be like Mr
Wade. After that we are going to stand naked infront of the
presidential palace to proclaim that we are like new-born babies and
that a new Senegal is born," one group of fervent supporters told
AFP.
With results in from 700 key polling stations out of a total of
8,442 nationwide, Wade had won around 65 percent of the popular
vote, an interior ministry source said.
The ruling party declined immediate comment, juding the results
"too incomplete".
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