The first female politician to overcome the sponsorship obstacle to participate in the presidential election of March 2024, Anta Babacar Ngom, now a member of parliament, is part of the generational renewal of Senegalese politics. In this interview with “Le Soleil”, she looks back on a significant year 2024, shares her perspectives while confiding what she thinks of the Diomaye-Sonko duo.
Anta Babacar Ngom Diack in 2024 is a presidential candidacy and another for the legislative elections…
In 2024, I experienced a year which, I believe, will remain decisive not only for me, but also for our country. After having evolved for a long time in the private sector, I felt that it was time to take a more active part in building the future that I wanted for Senegal. This choice took place in a context where our Nation was going through a period of unprecedented economic, social and political instability. I felt, deep within me, a compelling call to put myself at the service of my people. My candidacy for the presidential election, supported by the Alternative for New Citizens (Arc), was not simply the expression of a personal ambition. She embodied a collective desire for renewal. When the time came to engage in the legislative elections, this decision emerged as a logical continuation of this commitment. The National Assembly represents a valuable platform where the laws that govern the destiny of the country are shaped. When I joined, I gave myself the mission of being a strong voice, of acting directly on the decision-making process and of raising the aspirations of citizens. These two candidacies, although at different levels, reflect the same coherence: that of an unwavering desire to serve, to act and to contribute to improving the living conditions of my compatriots.
You were aiming for the presidency, but you are in the National Assembly. Can we talk about a consolation prize?
This is never a consolation when you get involved in politics out of conviction. I have never seen my political ambitions from the perspective of personal gain. What some call a “consolation prize” is, in reality, a valuable opportunity to defend the ideas and values that were at the heart of my presidential campaign. The role of deputy is not trivial: it is a question of representing the people, of legislating on all laws concerning the life of the Nation and of controlling public action. It is a role of capital importance in consolidating our democracy and protecting the rights of citizens. Considering the immense challenges our country faces, I see the Assembly as a space where I can continue to contribute meaningfully, by bringing bold reforms and fighting for laws that address the concerns of the Senegalese. Even more, this position allows me to embody a new way of doing politics.
You were the only woman candidate in the last presidential election. How did you feel?
Being the only woman candidate in a presidential election, in a context as competitive as that of Senegal, is both an honor and an immense responsibility. This means that we carry, well beyond our political project, the hopes and expectations of millions of Senegalese women.
This position allowed me to highlight the issues of gender inequality in our society. Each public appearance, each speech was an opportunity to demonstrate that women can not only participate in the political debate, but also lead it. It was not just about showing that it was possible, but proving that it was necessary to bring a different perspective to the challenges we face. However, being the only woman candidate also means confronting a deep-rooted skepticism, sometimes veiled, sometimes openly expressed. The obstacles were many, but they made me stronger and more resolute, because with each barrier crossed, I knew that I was not only paving my own path: I was also paving the road for those who would come after me.
2024 is also a year marked by the advent of the Sonko-Diomaye duo. What relationship do you have with them?
I would say that my relations with the Sonko-Diomaye duo, as you have just called them, are exactly the same as with any other political actor. They are marked with the seal of respect and the desire for courtesy. Even if our positions diverge on certain subjects, I recognize the importance of their current role in the conduct of state affairs. Political life should never be a war of people, but a space where differences enrich the debate and serve the higher interests of the Nation. Although I fully assume my position in the opposition, I sincerely wish them every success in their mission. Indeed, their success, if it is oriented towards progress, will also be that of Senegal as a whole. For my part, whenever an idea relevant to the development of our country emerges, I will not hesitate to share it. Serving Senegal transcends personal ambitions or partisan barriers. That said, it is important to reaffirm that my ambition remains intact and assumed. My ultimate goal is to position myself, one day, as head of state to leave my mark on governance and translate into action my vision for a modern, equitable and prosperous Senegal.
Why did you choose not to be registered in the National Assembly?
My choice to be non-registered in the National Assembly stems from a deep conviction: politics must be guided by the interests of citizens and not by partisan calculations. In a context where political fault lines are often exacerbated, I wanted to embody an alternative, a free and independent voice, capable of defending ideas without being constrained by the discipline of one camp or the ideology of another. . Being non-registered means authorizing yourself to judge each proposal on its merits, to work with all those who share a common ambition for Senegal and to reject sterile divisions.
How do you handle criticism on social media?
Social networks have become a public place where everyone can express their opinion, sometimes with uninhibited violence. But, I reassure you right away; meanness, wherever it comes from, has no impact on my daily actions. Being a political woman in Senegal requires particular resilience. Criticisms are not limited to disagreements of ideas; they often affect the person, their appearance, their private life, their loved ones… However, I see in this reality an opportunity to strengthen my commitment. These criticisms, although harsh, are the mirror of a rapidly changing society, where the place of women in the public space is still contested.
What was the most difficult moment for you in your political activities in 2024?
Without hesitation, one of the most trying moments of my political career was the disappointment of the presidential election results. After months of intense efforts, passionate commitment and hope shared with my activists and with thousands of Senegalese, the score obtained corresponded neither to our expectations nor to those of many supporters who had believed in our ambition. By its referendum particularity, this election reduced the voters’ choice to a binary confrontation, placing me in a complex configuration where the debate on ideas and alternatives was often eclipsed by the extreme polarities which dominated the scene. Faced with this reality, it took immense courage for me to face reality. This moment was difficult, because it was not just an electoral underperformance, but the questioning of an ambition driven by a vision that I consider fair and necessary for Senegal. It would have been easy to give in to discouragement or look for excuses, but I chose another path: that of sincerity and humility.
I took this result as an opportunity to reflect, to understand where and how we could do better and to reconnect more with the deep expectations of our fellow citizens.
Today, looking back, I see this ordeal as a point of reflection. She taught me that true success in politics does not lie only in immediate electoral results, but in the ability to continue to inspire, propose and build, even in the face of storms. This election was a milestone and I remain more determined than ever to defend my vision for a united, just and prosperous Senegal.
And the memory that pleased you the most?
Politics, with its immense challenges, sometimes offers moments that have a profound impact and remind us why we get involved. One of the most joyful moments of my journey remains, without doubt, the validation of my sponsorships during the presidential election of 2024. It was both a personal and collective victory, all the more memorable that it seemed almost impossible at first. Imagine, in a context where people doubted my ability to gather enough signatures, the draw placed me in 65th position out of 93 candidates, an unfavorable rank. However, with an unprecedented mobilization of our activists and leaders, with the incredible coordination of the strategic and technical teams, we met the challenge. That day, when the Constitutional Council announced that my sponsorships had been validated hands down, in the first round, it was much more than a simple technical result. It was a moment of pride and recognition for an entire movement that had believed in me, in Arc and in our ambition, against all odds.
What are your favorites?
The year 2024 was an extraordinary human adventure marked by unforgettable encounters with Senegalese people in the four corners of the country. During the electoral campaigns, I saw young people and women mobilize with impressive energy and creativity, driven by the conviction that they are the architects of change.
A moment will remain engraved in me, that of a little girl in Tambacounda who I asked what she would like to do when she grows up. With bright eyes, she answered me, with disarming confidence, “when I grow up, I want to be Anta Babacar.” These simple, but powerful, words sum up the essence of my commitment.
Could a new application be in sight?
My commitment to Senegal is total and I am ready to continue serving. It is the Senegalese who will guide my choices, but as long as there are injustices to fight, I will remain present and determined.
