Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has congratulated his Mauritanian counterpart Mohamed Ould El Ghazouani on his re-election following the announcement of Saturday’s presidential election results.

According to the Mauritanian Information Agency, Diomaye Faye expressed his congratulations during a telephone conversation with Ghazouani on Monday.

In response, Ghazouani thanked his Senegalese counterpart for his call and congratulations, emphasizing his desire to strengthen relations between Mauritania and Senegal.

The Independent electoral body CENI announced that he emerged victorious in the first round with a comfortable margin, garnering 56.1% of the votes.

However, in Mauritania, a precarious calm reigned after deadly opposition protests against the re-election of President Mouhamed Ould El Ghazouani whose main opponent, anti-slavery activist Biram Dah Abeid, received 22.1% of the votes and has contested the results, alleging fraud.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, 3 people were killed in clashes with the security forces.

The Internet has been cut off throughout the country since Monday evening.