This study investigates the inhibiting factors that led to the failed cyclogenesis of the mesoscale convective system (MCS) Pierre Henri (PH), observed during the CADDIWA field campaign. Using high-resolution airborne observations and a convection-permitting Meso-NH model, the authors analyze the interactions between the Saharan Air Layer (SAL), the Saharan Trade Wind Layer (STWL), cold pools, and upper tropospheric (UT) dry air. The study finds that: 1) the STWL, a relatively underexplored feature, played a significant role in increasing convective inhibition (CIN), contributing up to 40% of CIN during the mature phase of PH; 2) cold pools generated by convection further suppressed cyclone development, with their CIN contribution peaking at 50% post-intense phase; and 3) UT dry air limited the MCS's anvil expansion, with relative humidity below 15% between 7 and 11 km altitude, covering 18% of the MCS environment during dissipation. The findings are well-supported by observational data and validated against numerical simulations. I only have two minor comments for the authors to consider.

The study focuses on the failed cyclogenesis of one MCS (PH), but it is unclear how representative these findings are for other storms in the Cape Verde region. It would be interesting to more comprehensively compare the findings in this study with past ones on failed and/or successful Cape Verde cyclogenesis cases to improve the broader implications.

While the study effectively shows that STWL increased CIN, the mechanism of STWL intrusion into the MCS and its modification of convective processes needs clearer explanation. I suggest further elaborating on how weak low-level circulation allows STWL intrusion based on the current analysis.