Senegal: a historic encounter between Macky Sall and Diomaye Faye
Macky Sall will make a surprise return to Dakar this Friday, marking his first official visit since stepping down from the presidency two years ago. The highlight of his brief stay will be a much-anticipated meeting with current President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
The former leader, who is actively campaigning for the United Nations Secretary-General position, still needs to secure Senegal’s formal endorsement for his candidacy. His bid, launched in February, has yet to receive an official response from Dakar, which in March explicitly stated it had neither supported nor initiated Sall’s nomination.
The political climate in Senegal remains tense, particularly following the recent rift between President Faye and his former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. This evolving dynamic could significantly influence the outcome of Sall’s UN ambitions.
Adding complexity to the situation, civil society groups have intensified calls for accountability over alleged human rights violations during Sall’s tenure, further shaping the backdrop of his visit.