The recent return of Macky Sall to Senegal, following several months abroad since his presidential mandate concluded in April 2024, has immediately reignited the sharp political divisions within the nation. Yoro Dia, a prominent figure in the Alliance for the Republic (APR) and former communications advisor to the presidency, seized this moment to deliver a particularly aggressive interpretation of the current national landscape. In his view, Sall’s comeback signifies the end of a mere “interlude” led by the incumbent Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who heads the Pastef party.
A highly anticipated political comeback for Macky Sall
Since the transfer of power to Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Macky Sall had largely maintained a low profile on the national media scene, primarily residing outside the country. His public appearances were mostly confined to international engagements, particularly in his capacity within the Paris Pact for People and the Planet. Therefore, his arrival back in Dakar is perceived by his supporters as a pivotal moment, potentially reactivating a structured opposition against the Faye-Sonko executive duo.
Yoro Dia, who previously served as Minister-Spokesperson for the government under President Sall, deliberately chose a polarizing approach. By asserting that Senegal is now “rediscovering its soul and its values,” the former presidential communicator framed this return in a near-restorationist light. His sharp attack on Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, whom he described as embodying a “negation of Senegal,” underscores the intense resentment felt by a segment of the political class that lost power in March 2024.
The challenging cohabitation between Pastef and the previous administration
These declarations emerge amidst a persistently tense political climate in Senegal. The government led by Ousmane Sonko has initiated several sensitive projects, including accountability measures targeting officials from the former administration and the publication of a Court of Auditors report, which has been disputed by those associated with the preceding regime. Numerous former ministers and general directors have faced judicial hearings or been subjected to travel bans.
In this environment, every statement from an APR leader carries significant weight. The rhetoric employed by Yoro Dia transcends simple partisan lines, raising fundamental questions of historical legitimacy: who defines the national narrative? The current administration advocates for a sovereignist rupture, a reappropriation of natural resources, and an institutional refoundation. Conversely, Macky Sall’s political successors champion the achievements of twelve years of governance, marked by major infrastructure projects such as the Regional Express Train and the new urban hub of Diamniadio.
A narrative battle extending beyond national borders
The political rivalry between Sall and Sonko extends far beyond domestic concerns. The former head of state retains considerable regional influence, notably within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where he championed a dialogue-oriented approach with military regimes in the Sahel. Ousmane Sonko, on the other hand, advocates a more assertive pan-Africanist stance, characterized by a desire to rebalance relations with traditional partners, starting with France, and to strengthen monetary and security sovereignty.
This clash of visions is now crystallizing in their public discourse. Historically, the Senegalese political arena, known for its vibrant culture of contradictory debate, typically absorbs such verbal escalations without descending into open confrontation. The snap legislative elections of November 2024, decisively won by Pastef, established a clear institutional balance of power, which the opposition’s current maneuvers have struggled to effectively challenge.
For international investors and diplomatic partners, Macky Sall’s physical return represents a development to monitor. It could potentially provide renewed visibility to an opposition that has been somewhat fragmented, while also reactivating judicial cases that could heighten political polarization. Concretely, the Sonko government’s ability to implement its economic agenda, within a constrained budgetary context and under the scrutiny of the International Monetary Fund, will also depend on its political management of this evolving dynamic. Yoro Dia’s remarks were delivered during a gathering organized to welcome the former president home.
