The Benno Coalition is counting on Amadou Ba to keep power. His choice was validated by the Bby Leaders Conference, and especially by Macky who had chosen him as a potential successor since 2019.

Benno had brought together its beautiful people at the presidency of the Republic to validate the choice of his candidate. After prolonging the suspense, which tested several contenders for the presidential nomination, Macky Sall chose his Prime Minister. Amadou Ba accepted “with responsibility and humility” this choice to continue “our country’s march towards emergence”. On X, he assured: “The Bby Leaders Conference did me the honour of nominating me as a candidate for the next presidential election. I accept with responsibility and humility.” And his thanks go to President Sall. “I deeply thank the President of the Republic and commit in his to continuing the implementation of his vision set out in the Emerging Senegal Plan,” promised the Prime Minister.

Benno’s Candidate: A Journey Without Debate

This choice of Prime Minister seems to be obvious, because Amadou Ba has established himself as the only solution despite the desires of other contenders for the presidential nomination, such as Mahammed Boun Abdallah Dionne, Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr, Abdoulaye Daouda Diallo and Aly Ngouille Ndiaye. So, it was a long and false suspense for those who knew the underside of this choice. If the departure of Mr. Aly Ngouille Ndiaye is confirmed, Macky’s decision is yet to cause turmoil in the ranks. The allies subscribed to the decision because Moustapha Niasse was the software chosen to evaluate the different profiles. Aminata Mbengue Ndiaye is not also in another logic. Within the Alliance for the Republic (Apr) where some have displayed their ambitions, there is calm. Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr, who was not chosen, publicly accepted the decision by announcing that he was lining up behind Amadou Ba.

Benno’s Candidacy for the 2024 Presidential Election: Amadou Ba, the Leader’s Choice

“I reaffirm my attachment to party discipline, and renew my loyalty to the President of the Republic. I fully agree with his choice of Prime Minister Amadou Ba, whom I congratulate in passing.  I urge all militants and supporters to stand as one man behind our candidate for a resounding victory on the evening of February 25, 2024,” reacted the former candidate for mayor of Dakar. A way to bury the hatchet and turn the page on the Local elections? ADD? No one knows his position yet… Until then, the different factions of Apr and Bby have completely shown their support for this decision.

Macky Sall: “I will do everything to support the majority to victory in 2024…”

For Amadou Ba, the hardest part begins: consolidating Bby’s ranks, keeping power and facing the opposition which has found its target. For Macky Sall, it was the sine qua non condition for him to get involved in the presidential campaign after he gave up on presenting a third candidacy for the Presidential election. Although he did not speak much this Saturday, the President, who wore a mask recalling a period of Covid-19 that was almost over, called on Bby activists to “unite for the continuation and acceleration of the march of our country towards emergence.

This Too Long Wait for Benno’s Candidate

Without saying it, he will be an unofficial campaign director to try to keep his coalition in power: “I will do everything to support the majority to victory in 2024…” But, the leader of the Coalition Bby, who announces that he will Wetting the jersey so that the presidential majority achieves victory on the evening of February 25, 2024, ensures that its runner-up will face multiple challenges. “The only challenge we have is unity. We will continue these efforts for unity, but also for emergencies,” underlined President Sall. There remains one last question: will he remain Prime Minister when the reshuffle has become obvious after the resignation of Mr. Aly Ngouille from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Equipment?

By Malick GAYE / mgaye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH