In a meeting with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye as part of the ongoing National Dialogue initiative, former Prime Minister Amadou Ba emphasized the urgent need for enhanced political dialogue and strengthened economic credibility for Senegal. The high-level discussion at the Presidential Palace brought together several former heads of government, all consulted by the Head of State.

Amadou Ba described the initiative as crucial for the nation’s stability, calling for deeper consultations on major national challenges. During their closed-door session, he and the President examined critical issues including political dynamics, proposed institutional reforms, and the complex economic and security challenges facing the country.

Highlighting the ongoing electoral reforms discussions, Ba stressed the importance of extended negotiations to build stronger consensus. He proposed extending the dialogue period by an additional ten to fifteen days to allow for more inclusive exchanges.

“Senegal needs consensus, Senegal needs dialogue,” he reiterated, clarifying that his proposal was made not on behalf of any political faction, but in the broader national interest.

Economic concerns and international partnerships

On the economic front, the former Finance Minister expressed deep concerns about the current economic climate and its impact on Senegal’s population. He also addressed the country’s relationship with international financial partners, particularly the International Monetary Fund.

Ba recalled that during his tenure as Finance Minister, Senegal went six years without any IMF funding, and the country experienced a twelve-year gap without a financing program or disbursements from the institution. Despite this prolonged absence, he noted that Senegal maintained its credibility with global financial partners. However, he acknowledged that the current economic context demands new compromises to secure essential funding for the nation’s development and investment needs.

The former Prime Minister also warned about the consequences of successive credit rating downgrades, which he said increase borrowing costs and limit the government’s financial flexibility.

Security challenges and national cohesion

The meeting also covered regional security concerns amid shifting dynamics in West Africa. Ba underscored the importance of broad-based dialogue to address these challenges and strengthen support for national defense and security forces.

While reaffirming his opposition stance, he urged a calm and constructive approach to national issues, emphasizing that some challenges transcend political divisions.

“I remain in the opposition, and I will stay there. But certain matters go beyond politics. We must work together calmly for the good of the country,” he concluded.