A historic moment unfolded in Senegal this Friday as former President Macky Sall made his first public return since his 2024 electoral defeat. Landing at Dakar’s Yoff military airport, he was greeted by his successor, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in an encounter that has sent shockwaves through the nation’s political landscape.
a controversial homecoming
The visit arrives amid deep divisions. Just months before the 2024 elections, Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his mentor Ousmane Sonko were jailed, with hundreds of opposition supporters detained under Macky Sall’s administration. Among them was activist Aly Coly, whose family was imprisoned for months simply for wearing Pastef colors—a clear sign of dissent against the government at the time.
Aly’s voice echoes the frustration of many: “They even locked up my wife and our three-month-old baby. Now, watching my son play, I see the man responsible being welcomed by our president. It’s as if nothing ever happened.”
unresolved wounds and lingering questions
Official records from 2021 to 2024 list over 1,000 political detainees, with 65 fatalities in crackdowns on protests. These figures remain a raw wound for supporters of the current administration, who view Macky Sall’s return as a step backward. “No investigations, no accountability—just business as usual,” Aly declares, reflecting a sentiment shared by many.
behind the visit: a bid for the un throne
Macky Sall’s trip is brief but loaded with implications. In a public statement, he confirmed the visit is tied to his candidacy for UN Secretary-General, a role he previously pitched to the UN General Assembly in April. Yet, his bid has struggled to gain traction, lacking endorsement from the African Union and even his home country—until now.
Political analyst Maurice Soundieck Dione offers perspective: “For Senegal, this could boost the nation’s global standing, making it more attractive to investors and securing foreign capital.”
diomaye faye’s delicate balancing act
For President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the meeting presents a strategic dilemma. Once a symbol of rupture against the old regime, he now faces criticism for reintegrating figures from Macky Sall’s administration into government roles. His alliance with Ousmane Sonko, the powerful National Assembly leader, is also strained, raising questions about his political future.
Maurice Soundieck Dione adds: “This encounter may signal a shift in alliances for Diomaye Faye, but it risks alienating his core supporters who see it as a betrayal of his founding promises.”
will history repeat itself?
As the dust settles on this unexpected reunion, Senegal stands at a crossroads. Will this visit pave the way for reconciliation—or deepen existing fractures? One thing is clear: the scars of the past remain fresh, and the path forward is anything but smooth.