Amadou Ba agrees to debate with Sonko. The former Prime Minister does not want to limit himself to the proposal of the « Patriot » in chief, he wants to expand on « all aspects of the life of our Nation (economy, public finances, purchasing power, employment, public freedoms, institutions, Justice, natural resources, floods, education, health, security, diplomacy, etc.) ». Amadou Ba wants to have the audit report that incriminates him available.

It’s a democratic exercise! Amadou Ba and Ousmane Sonko are going to debate. At least, that’s the will displayed by the two political leaders on the eve of the legislative elections. Even if the press mentioned the disapproval of the National Audiovisual Regulatory Council (CNRA), with regard to the Electoral Code, the two protagonists do not seem to take it into account. Since Amadou Ba’s statement refuting Ousmane Sonko’s accusations, the latter took the opportunity to invite him to a debate on the « economic and financial situation in which they (Macky Sall’s regime) have plunged the country, and on his personal responsibility. This will be an opportunity to address, among other things, issues related to public debt and deficit, taxation, land, mines and hydrocarbons, as well as the wage bill. »

Sonko proposes a debate: AMADOU BA TAKES UP THE CHALLENGE

An invitation that the former Prime Minister accepted. For a demonstration of the truth, Amadou Ba went further. « Beyond the subjects he proposes, although it is curious that he himself delimits the subjects, the debate must focus on all aspects of the life of our Nation (economy, public finances, purchasing power, employment, public freedoms, institutions, Justice, natural resources, floods, education, health, security, diplomacy, etc.) », proposed Amadou Ba in a Facebook post. And on the accusations of « falsification of economic data » recorded in a report of the management of the former regime, Amadou Ba hopes « that he will make available to me the reports he has referred to and will make public all the exchanges between myself as Prime Minister and the ministers concerned by the allegations, so that we can usefully discuss all the issues raised in the said reports. »

After posting his message on social media, Ousmane Sonko returned to the charge. “We have not set any conditions for Mr. Amadou Ba, let him do the same. Everyone will present their arguments to the Senegalese people on D-Day, and I can promise you that the stigmata of mismanagement by the former Prime Minister will be as glaring as the stripes of a zebra. Everything is referenced, sourced and informed from irrefutable official documents (including reports that have implicated him) and will be made available to the Senegalese people,” wrote the Prime Minister.

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Less than twenty-four hours after the proposal made to him by the Prime Minister and leader of the Pastef party for a debate, Amadou Ba said « Yes » to Ousmane Sonko. The representative of the electoral coalition « Jamm ak njariñ », Zahra Iyane Thiam, made the announcement yesterday, and indicated that they have given him the opportunity to determine the date and time of this exchange. The School of Public Speaking and Leadership (Eao) of Dr. Cheikh Oumar Diallo must host this debate which will be broadcast by the private channel Itv of the press group Emedia Invest.

By Malick GAYE / mgaye@lequotidien.sn 

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH