Sidiki Kaba’s government, which has 34 ministers, is an affair of mergers, such as Education and Higher Education, Economy and Finance. There are the departures of certain « political » heavyweights such as Doudou Ka and Cheikh Oumar Anne, respectively a counter-power in the South and a big personality in the North. There is the return of Mankeur, the end of the « Left » with the departure of Samba Sy and IMF’s return to the Presidency.By Bocar SAKHO –

Macky Sall and Sidiki Kaba have come up with a formula for « tightening » the government: merging certain strategic ministries. Since 2000, the Ministries of National Education and Higher Education have been separate entities in the government. In this government led by « Diatigui », Moussa Baldé will take charge of these two departments until the end of the presidential term.

There is the reunification of the Ministries of Economy and Finance. President Sall had split this super ministry in the wake of his triumphant re-election in 2019 to reduce the weight of its occupant and reduce friction in the government. He created the Ministry of Finance and Budget and the Ministry of the Economy and Planning. Mamadou Moustapha Ba is the beneficiary of this reorganisation at Peytavin.

While the Ministries of Sport and Tourism are being merged, with Mame Mbaye Niang as incumbent, Thérèse Faye is becoming just as « big ». She will manage the Ministry of Women, Territorial Equity and Community Development. And Aïssata Tall Sall has added good governance to her portfolio of Justice. All these factual elements call for a more in-depth analysis.

Doudou Ka, Cheikh Oumar Anne
These mergers have led to the departure from government of political heavyweights from the Benno apparatus. Doudou Ka, who is leaving the Ministry of the Economy, is a counterweight in Ziguinchor, which is the electoral breeding ground of the former Pastef party. Removed from the Education Ministry, Cheikh Oumar Anne is a remarkable identity for the Alliance for the Republic (Apr) in the north. Everyone is questioning the involvement of Abdoulaye Daouda Diallo, who withdrew his candidacy in favour of Amadou Ba. Since then, he has maintained a silence that is more than troubling.

International Women’s Day 2024: In solidarity with Maïmouna Ndour Faye, a classic case of online abuse which has spilled offline

These remain political enigmas, but the questions remain legitimate. Could their departures, in this electoral context, be a signal that they are getting involved in the campaign of candidate Amadou Ba, who needs all the political forces to hope to triumph on 24 March? Are they being relieved of their duties to enable them to peacefully pursue their political activities?

Departure of the Left, return of Mankeur

Moreover, there is no longer a Left party in the government. Following the departure of elements of the Ld a few years ago, Samba Sy has been excluded from the government. Replaced at the Ministry of Labour by Annette Seck, the Secretary General of the Independence and Labour Party (Pit) will no doubt pay for his public outburst at the opening of the national dialogue in Diamniadio. He voiced his opposition to the amnesty law and reiterated his support for the continuation of the electoral timetable interrupted by President Sall on 3 February, and for the acquired rights of candidates. This annoyed Macky, who replied that he « didn’t need anyone’s authorisation to do so ».

Presidential Election: 15 Days to Convince

Today, there are entries that are both surprising and strong. Mankeur Ndiaye is once again Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, a post he held from 2012 to 2019. Aminata Angélique Manga returns to the post of Minister attached to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, with responsibility for Senegalese living abroad. Ismaïla Madior Fall joins the Presidency to become President Sall’s Director of Cabinet, replacing Makhtar Cissé, who has moved to the Ministry of the Interior. Ultimately, Macky Sall is keeping the longest-standing ‘couple’ in his government: Serigne Mbaye Thiam and Mariama Sarr, who have been with him since 2012.
bsakho@lequotidien.sn