Families of victims feel betrayed by former president’s return
Families of those killed or imprisoned during Senegal’s political unrest are expressing deep anger over the return of former President Macky Sall. Many describe his visit as a direct insult to their suffering, reopening wounds that remain raw years after the events.
Salimaa Thiam, whose son Ousmane Dia died in 2023 during clashes linked to political repression, shares her grief: “Hearing that Macky Sall is back in Senegal feels like a fresh stab. I still haven’t finished mourning my son, and now this pain comes rushing back.“>
She goes further, calling for his exclusion from the country: “We don’t want him here. He is responsible for our suffering. If he had done nothing wrong, he could return like any other citizen. But not him. He should stay away.”
Former detainees demand accountability before reconciliation
Mabinta Bibi Djiba, who was jailed twice—once in 2021 and again in 2024—under Sall’s administration, insists justice must come first. “The president talks about reconciliation, but how can we reconcile without first addressing responsibility? The guilty must be held to account.”
Political betrayal or necessary engagement?
Guy Marius Sagna, a member of parliament for the Pastef party, accuses President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of betraying victims by welcoming Sall. He argues that this move undermines the government’s commitment to justice and human rights. “During his inauguration, Diomaye Faye promised never to let us down. What disappointment. Now he’s rolling out the red carpet for the architect of torture, political killings, and unlawful detentions from 2021 to 2024.”
Sagna warns that this decision risks deepening political divisions and eroding public trust in the government’s stated values.
Academics warn of deepening political divides
Professor Adama Sadio, a political scientist at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, highlights how the controversy reflects broader political tensions. “This is not just a legal issue—it’s deeply political. Victims are often labeled as opposition supporters, and every move made against the government is seized upon to weaken its position.“>
He cautions that the visit risks entrenching polarization and complicating efforts toward national healing.
Collective outrage over state-sanctioned impunity
The collective of victims of Macky Sall’s policies has condemned the government’s decision to allow his return as a slap in the face to all those affected by state violence during his tenure. They demand that accountability be prioritized over political gestures.
