Senegal: Agriculture Minister Ngouille Ndiaye steps down in reaction to choice of Amadou Ba as presidential candidate

Aly Ngouille Ndiaye, Senegal’s Agriculture Minister has tendered in his resignation from the government and pulled out from ruling party “Alliance pour la République (APR)” few days after President Macky Sall designated incumbent Prime Minister Amadou Ba as candidate for February 2024 presidential elections for the APR and the ruling coalition Benno Bokk Yaakaar.

N. Ndiaye reportedly did not like the choice of Ba as he was seeing himself a serious contender and potential candidate for the party. President Sall announced in July that he will not seek a third term in office – putting an end to political tension in the West African country.

N. Ndiaye, reports say, however suffered a setback following his resignation in his constituency and stronghold of Djoloff. Sixteen mayors out of 19 of the region on Sunday, during a conclave meeting, withdrew their support to the former Minister in favor of Samba Ndiobène Ka, the Minister of Community Development and Social and Territorial Equity. They also rubber-stamped Sall’s choice of Ba arguing that the Prime Minister is the right candidate to win the coming elections.