Former Senegalese President Macky Sall is scheduled to arrive in Senegal on Friday, July 17, marking his first visit back to the nation since concluding his presidential term in April 2024. This significant return is part of his ongoing campaign efforts for the prestigious position of United Nations Secretary-General. A key component of his visit will be a high-stakes meeting with current President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who has yet to publicly endorse Sall’s international aspiration.
a significant return to Senegal
Macky Sall personally confirmed on his social media platform that he would be in Dakar on Friday for discussions with his successor, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This marks his inaugural visit to Senegal since he stepped down from the presidency on April 3, 2024. The former head of state indicated that he plans to depart “immediately” following this crucial meeting, which is specifically arranged as part of the consultations surrounding his bid for the United Nations Secretary-General post.
un candidacy faces scrutiny
Breaking from traditional diplomatic norms, Macky Sall’s candidacy for the UN top job was not formally presented by Senegal. Instead, it was put forward by Burundi, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the African Union. As early as late March, approximately twenty member states of the African Union, including Senegal, had declined to publicly back his aspiration to succeed Antonio Guterres. At this moment, the Senegalese presidency has not yet officially confirmed the scheduled meeting that the former president announced.
a sensitive political climate persists
The timing of Macky Sall’s return coincides with a period still sensitive to criticisms regarding his administration’s handling of opposition protests between 2021 and 2024, incidents that tragically resulted in numerous fatalities. The current government has pledged to thoroughly investigate these events, despite the presence of an amnesty law covering actions committed during that contentious period. In March, a collective identifying as victims of the repression publicly voiced its strong opposition to the former president’s UN candidacy, leveling accusations of “blood and economic crimes” against him.
a highly anticipated encounter
The upcoming meeting between Macky Sall and Bassirou Diomaye Faye is anticipated to be closely observed. Sall aims to garner crucial support for his international candidacy, and the discussions could provide valuable insights into the evolving relationship between Senegal’s new leadership and their predecessor, set against a political backdrop still shaped by past grievances.