The idea of an unprecedented political alliance, bringing together the major opposition forces, seemed to be taking shape in Senegal. An inter-coalition including the “New Responsibility” of Amadou Ba, “Taxawu Senegaal” of Khalifa Sall, the Alliance for the Republic (Apr) of Macky Sall, and the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) of Karim Wade was to constitute an common front for the legislative elections on November 17. This bloc aimed in particular to reduce the growing influence of Ousmane Sonko’s Pastef. However, Amadou Ba, former Prime Minister and figure of “New Responsibility”, strongly opposed this union.
The inter-coalition project, which would have brought together figures such as Macky Sall, Amadou Ba, Karim Wade and Khalifa Sall, failed mainly due to Ba’s intransigent stance. True to his principles, he rejected what was seen as a political maneuver aimed solely at countering the emergence of Pastef. According to him, the quest for a parliamentary majority for the opposition does not justify sacrificing fundamental values. Amadou Ba thus refused to give in to pressure to join this alliance, believing that not all strategies are acceptable in the race for power.
In addition to his refusal of an alliance with Macky Sall, Amadou Ba is faced with internal tensions within his own party, the Apr. He faces accusations from the PDS, which accuses him of having corrupted the judges of the Constitutional Council during the last presidential election. Despite these attacks, Ba remains firm in his decision not to join the coalition with Khalifa Sall, Macky Sall and their allies, advocating a more ethical political line. This decision led to the breakup of the inter-coalition into a series of small local alliances.
Instead of this large single bloc, the opposition will therefore present itself in a fragmented manner in the elections, with alliances adapted to local political affinities. This approach is reminiscent of the strategy of the “Yewwi Askan Wi” and “Wallu Senegal” coalitions during the 2022 legislative elections, which also focused on regional partnerships.
The failure of this grand coalition also reveals deep fractures between Amadou Ba and Macky Sall. Ba had been designated by Macky Sall to represent the presidential camp in the presidential election on March 24, but this candidacy had sparked strong criticism within the Benno Bokk Yaakaar coalition. Many voices, public or discreet, had expressed their dissatisfaction with the choice of ex-president Macky Sall, others on the contrary, accusing him of not having fully supported Amadou Ba. Some observers even believe that this lack of support, particularly with regard to the late financing of his campaign, had played a role in Amadou Ba’s defeat during this election.
In terms of legislative elections, each coalition will present its own lists. The Samm Sa Kaddu coalition, led by the mayor of Dakar, Barthélémy Dias, will bring together “Taxawu Senegaal”, the PRP of Déthié Fall, “Les Servants” of Pape Djibril Fall, and other political forces such as the PUR of Serigne Moustapha Sy and the AGIR Movement of Thierno Bocoum. For his part, Amadou Ba was designated leader of the “Jamm Ak Njariñ” coalition, which includes the “New Responsibility”, the LD, the AFP, and part of the PS, former allies of Benno Bokk Yaakaar.
The third large bloc, made up of the Apr, the Pds, Rewmi and their liberal allies, has not yet announced its leader, although the profile of Abdoulaye Daouda Diallo, former president of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council , be expected.
The results of the November legislative elections will be decisive in defining the distribution of forces within the opposition and the future balance of power in Parliament.
