Senegal’s president names new premier

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Senegal’s President Macky Sall Saturday named Amadou Ba as the country’s prime minister, the presidency announced on Saturday.

Sall had abolished the prime minister post following his reelection in 2019.

Last year, he cited his duties as the chairman of the African Union to justify the restoration of the position but it remained vacant.

Ba, 61, served as the economy and finance minister in 2013-2019 and as the foreign minister in 2019-2020.

His appointment has followed the departmental and municipal elections conducted in January.

Ba’s major challenges as the government head include addressing high cost of living, youth unemployment, and implementing the political manifesto of the president, according to analysts.

In a televised address Friday, Sall assured that the cost of living and youth employment will be among the top priorities of the government.

A new Cabinet is expected to be formed after Ba's appointment as the new prime minister.