Senegal’s Sall backs Prime Minister Ba for president

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Senegal’s Prime Minister Amadou Ba was declared the ruling coalition nominee for the presidential election Saturday that is scheduled for next year, following his backing by the incumbent President Macky Sall.

Ba was announced as the sole candidate for the Benno Bokk Yakaar (BBY) coalition for the Feb. 24, 2024 election at a leaders’ conference at the president's palace in the national capital of Dakar.

“After a wide consultation, a task that was complex and difficult including considering a primary that was rejected by interested candidates and leaders in the coalition, we decided on a consensus choice,” said former Prime Minister Moustapha Niasse.

Sall urged supporters in a statement to rally behind Ba who he described as a candidate with “professional skills, unifier and good listener” who has had a diversified career.

Ba, 62, was appointed prime minister last September He previously served as economy and foreign minister and acted as the coalition’s national coordinator during local elections in early 2022.

Sall announced in July he will not seek a third term in next year’s presidential elections, ending months of speculation. At 61, he assumed power in 2012 and won reelection in 2019.

Although BBY members had rejected primaries to avoid divisions, Agriculture Minister Aly Ngouille Ndiaye announced his resignation from the government Saturday after Ba was announced as the coalition’s flag bearer, according to media reports.

Ndiaye is expected to announce his next move in the coming days.