The Senegalese government announced on Monday, July 20 its decision to support the candidacy of former President Macky Sall for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. This marks a significant shift in Dakar’s stance, coming just three days after a private meeting between Sall and current President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Until now, Senegal had not formally endorsed Sall’s bid, despite his eight-year tenure (2012–2024). Notably, his candidacy was submitted not by his home country but by Burundi, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the African Union (AU).

As recently as late March, a coalition of nearly two dozen AU member states—including Senegal—had rejected backing Sall’s campaign to succeed Antonio Guterres. The opposition cited concerns over his administration’s handling of protests between 2021 and 2024, which resulted in numerous fatalities.

However, the political landscape shifted abruptly following Sall’s return to Dakar on Friday, where he was greeted by large crowds. Critics accuse him of concealing hidden debt and failing to address the deaths of demonstrators during his presidency.

Diplomatic pivot: Senegal rallies behind Sall’s global leadership

In an official statement, Senegal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed President Faye’s approval for the country to fully endorse Sall’s UN candidacy. The ministry instructed all diplomatic missions to advocate for his nomination among UN member states.

The government framed the endorsement as a commitment to “a stronger Africa and a more effective multilateralism.” Sall, who left office in April 2024 after two terms, remains a polarizing figure domestically, with demands for accountability over his tenure’s controversies.