Former Prime Minister Amadou Ba has called for urgent political dialogue and strengthened national consensus during a high-level meeting with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye as part of the ongoing national dialogue initiative.

The meeting, held at the Presidential Palace, brought together several former heads of government, all of whom emphasized the critical importance of inclusive discussions to address Senegal’s most pressing challenges.

During the discussions, Amadou Ba highlighted key national priorities, including political stability, institutional reforms, economic resilience, and regional security concerns. He stressed that deeper consultations are essential to build sustainable agreements on matters of national importance.

A central topic was electoral reform, where Ba proposed extending current consultations for an additional 10 to 15 days to foster broader agreement. His stance was clear: “The nation requires consensus—not for any political faction, but for the collective good.”

Economically, Ba expressed deep concerns over Senegal’s current financial climate, citing the strain of international pressures on domestic resources. He recalled his tenure as Finance Minister, noting that Senegal went six years without receiving any funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), followed by a 12-year gap without a disbursement program.

While acknowledging the country’s past ability to maintain international financial credibility despite these challenges, he warned that the current economic environment demands urgent compromises. The repeated downgrades in Senegal’s financial ratings, he argued, have already inflated borrowing costs and limited fiscal flexibility.

Security was another focal point, particularly in light of rising sub-regional tensions. Ba advocated for a comprehensive dialogue on these issues and reinforced support for the country’s defense and security forces.

Despite his opposition stance, he concluded by reaffirming his commitment to peaceful, solution-oriented engagement. “I remain in opposition, and that will not change. But some issues surpass political divides. We must work together calmly, for the sake of Senegal.”