Former Senegalese President Macky Sall is set to make his first return to Sénégal on Friday, July 17, since concluding his presidential term in April 2024. This significant visit is part of his ongoing campaign for the prestigious position of Secretary-General of the United Nations. A pivotal moment of his trip will be a meeting with current President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who has yet to publicly endorse Sall’s international bid.
A significant return since leaving office
Macky Sall personally announced on Facebook his upcoming travel to Dakar this Friday for discussions with his successor, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This marks his inaugural visit to Sénégal since he stepped down from the presidency on April 3, 2024. The former head of state indicated that he would depart “immediately” after this meeting, which is specifically arranged as part of the consultations surrounding his application for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations.
A UN candidacy facing internal divisions
Breaking from traditional diplomatic protocols, Macky Sall’s candidacy has not been officially put forward by Sénégal itself. Instead, it has been championed by Burundi, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the African Union. In late March, approximately twenty member states of the AU, including Sénégal, declined to support his bid to succeed Antonio Guterres. As of now, the Senegalese presidency has not officially confirmed the scheduled meeting that the former president announced.
A still sensitive political environment
Macky Sall’s return unfolds against a backdrop of persistent criticism regarding his administration’s handling of opposition protests between 2021 and 2024, a period during which numerous individuals tragically lost their lives. The new authorities have pledged to shed light on these events, despite the existence of an amnesty law covering actions committed during that time. In March, a collective identifying themselves as victims of repression publicly voiced their opposition to the former president’s UN candidacy, leveling accusations against him, notably of “crimes of blood and economic crimes.”
An eagerly anticipated encounter
The upcoming meeting between Macky Sall and Bassirou Diomaye Faye will be closely observed, as the former president endeavors to consolidate support for his international aspiration. This encounter could also provide crucial insights into the evolving relationship between Sénégal‘s new leadership and their predecessor, set within a political landscape still shaped by the contentious issues of the past.
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