Incumbent President Wade conceded defeat in Sunday’s runoff and congratulated Macky Sall.

Messages of congratulation and commendation have been pouring in for the people of Senegal and their newly elected leader, Macky Sall, on the peaceful conduct and outcome of the presidential runoff on Sunday March 25, 2012. President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, Senegal's former colonial ruler, hailed the result as good news for Africa in general and for Senegal in particular, adding that the outcome confirmed that Senegal is a major African country and a model of democracy, the BBC said.

Thijs Berman, the head of the European Union observer mission to Senegal, said the results were very clear - about 65 per cent for Sall and 35 per cent for Wade - and so there was no doubt as to who had won. The African Union said Wade's acceptance of defeat showed maturity in the country's democracy while the European Union described Senegal as a great example.

Reuters news agency reported that thousands of residents of the capital, Dakar poured into the streets Sunday night, blaring car horns, beating drums and singing in celebration after State television reported that President Wade, 85, had telephoned Sall to concede defeat in the country’s most contentious election in recent history. In a victory speech, the new president said the real winner of the election was Senegalese people, adding that the country had shown to the world that its democracy was mature. Describing the victory as a new era for Senegal, he promised to be the president of all.

AFP news agency reported that results were barely out a few hours after polls closed when President Abdoulaye Wade phoned his former protégé to congratulate him on his win, as exit polls showed his overwhelming lead. The election came just days after a military coup in neighbouring Mali. Senegal remains the only country in West Africa to have never undergone a coup and has held elections regularly. Whereas Wade had spent 25 years as an opposition leader before finally winning the presidency, Sall won it in his first ever attempt.

Fifty-year-old Macky Sall, a geologist by training, served as Wade's Prime Minister from 2004 to 2007. Before that, he held the Interior and Mines ministerial portfolios. He also oversaw the successful re-election of Wade five years ago and went on to become the Speaker of the National Assembly. Sall however fell out with Wade and resigned his position in the National Assembly and from the ruling PDS party. He then set up his own movement, APR-Yakaar three years ago.