World

Opposition Wins In Senegal

March 20, 2000 / 10:57 AM EST / AP

President Abdou Diouf conceded defeat Monday in elections, marking a rare victory for democratic change in Africa and bringing a fiery opposition leader to power.

Diouf telephoned his longtime rival Abdoulaye Wade early Monday morning and told him that being president is "a difficult mission and I wish you all the luck in the world," Diouf's campaign manager, Khalifa Sall, told The Associated Press. Diouf's concession was also announced on state radio.

Thousands of Wade supporters poured into the streets of this coastal capital city, cheering his victory.

Ruling parties who control campaign funds and often electoral authorities rarely lose elections in Africa, a continent plagued by coups and civil wars. Diouf's Socialist Party had been in power since independence from France in 1960.

Critics accuse Diouf, who came to power in 1981, of fostering a corrupt elite and ignoring the country's poor. In recent years, unemployment and crime have increased in Dakar.

Wade, 70, tapped into a growing desire among poor voters for change. Nearly two-thirds of Senegalese remain illiterate and hospitals and roads are badly neglected.

The vote featured a battle of personalities, with little emphasis on policy or ideology.

Reports of violence, ballot theft and other irregularities around the country marred Sunday's vote. Several injuries and dozens of arrests were reported.

Wade had warned of a popular revolt in the nation of 10 million if he lost. After voting in the capital, Wade told his supporters Sunday not to initiate violence but to fight back if attacked. He also warned Senegalese to "remain vigilant" for "serious election anomalies."

Although turnout figures were unavailable, there appeared to be fewer voters in Dakar than during the first round Feb. 27. Some voters had been unable to return on time from Muslim festivities held in other parts of Senegal, which is slightly smaller than South Dakota. One of the few African countries to hold regular elections, Senegal has never before had a second round of voting.

Diouf, 64, won 41 percent of the previous round, compared to 31 percent for Wade.

For the runoff, however, Wade had the backing of five of the seven other contenders in the previous round.

The president voted near his palace in downtown Dakar surrounded by armed soldiers and crowds of supporters who cheered and threw rose petals at him.

Diouf's backers said he should be re-elected because under his leadership Senegal has had a reputation as one of Africa's most stable nations, with a vibrant trading economy despite few natural resources.

Political differences exploded into violence Sunday in a few areas of Dakar. Several young Diouf supporters were arrested after an attack on an electoral station, private radio station Wal Fadjiri reported. At least 20 people were arrested during a street fight in another suburb, witnessesaid.

Clashes also were reported in the interior towns of Nioro and Ndande.