Senegalese President Macky Sall has dismissed Prime Minister Amadou Ba, ending a protracted power struggle that paralysed the government for months. The decision, announced late on Tuesday, removes the last obstacle to Sall’s unilateral control over the executive branch ahead of the 2024 general election. Ba’s sacking follows a series of public disagreements over economic policy and the president’s alleged plan to pursue a third term, a move that has sparked widespread protests across the country.
The feud between Sall and Ba escalated after the prime minister refused to endorse constitutional changes that critics argue would allow the president to bypass term limits. The prime minister’s office had become a focal point for opposition figures who viewed Ba as a potential brake on authoritarian drift. With Ba’s removal, Sall now commands the full machinery of state, raising fears of a crackdown on dissent.
The European Union and the United Nations have called for restraint, but the United Kingdom is particularly concerned about the implications for West Africa’s stability. Senegal, long considered a beacon of democracy in a volatile region, is facing its worst political crisis in decades. The UK Foreign Office has issued a statement urging all parties to abide by the constitution and avoid violence.
British diplomats fear that a prolonged stalemate could embolden jihadist groups active in the Sahel, who thrive on weak governance. Nigeria and Ghana are also watching events closely, as instability in Dakar could disrupt regional trade and security cooperation. Meanwhile, opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has called for mass demonstrations, accusing Sall of staging a coup.
The president’s office has dismissed the claim, insisting that the sacking was a routine administrative reshuffle. As the standoff deepens, the UK is reassessing its military and aid commitments to Senegal, mindful of the delicate balance between supporting security and upholding democratic norms.
