First return to Senegal since leaving office
Macky Sall announced on social media that he would travel to Dakar on Friday for discussions with his successor, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This marks his first visit to Senegal since stepping down from the presidency on April 3, 2024. Sall confirmed he would depart immediately after the meeting, which is part of his consultations for the UN Secretary-General candidacy.
A candidacy facing opposition
Unlike typical nominations, Macky Sall’s bid for the UN top post was not backed by Senegal but by Burundi, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the African Union. By late March, nearly two dozen AU member states, including Senegal, had declined to support his candidacy to replace António Guterres. At this stage, the Senegalese presidency has not officially confirmed the meeting.
Political tensions linger
The timing of Sall’s return coincides with ongoing scrutiny of his handling of opposition protests between 2021 and 2024, a period marked by dozens of fatalities. The current administration has pledged to investigate these events despite an amnesty law covering actions taken during that time. Earlier this year, a group claiming to represent victims of repression publicly opposed Sall’s UN bid, accusing him of committing “blood and economic crimes.”
A meeting under the spotlight
The encounter between Macky Sall and Bassirou Diomaye Faye is expected to draw significant attention, as Sall seeks international backing for his candidacy. It may also shed light on the evolving relationship between Senegal’s new leadership and its predecessor, amid lingering political disputes from the past.