A significant return since leaving office
Macky Sall confirmed his upcoming visit to Dakar via Facebook, stating his intention to hold discussions with his successor, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This marks his first presence in Senegal since stepping down from the presidency on April 3, 2024. The former head of state indicated his immediate departure following the meeting, which is scheduled as part of consultations for his United Nations Secretary-General candidacy.
Dans le cadre des consultations et visites que j’ai entreprises en rapport avec ma candidature au poste de Secrétaire général de l’Organisation des Nations Unies, je me rendrai au Sénégal le vendredi 17 juillet 2026.
— Macky Sall (@Macky_Sall) July 14, 2026
Je remercie vivement SEM le Président Bassirou Diomaye Faye,…
A candidacy sparking debate
In an unusual turn of events, Macky Sall’s candidacy was not formally presented by Senegal. Instead, Burundi, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the African Union, put forward his nomination. By late March, approximately twenty member states of the African Union, including Senegal itself, had declined to support his bid to succeed Antonio Guterres. As of now, the Senegalese presidency has not officially confirmed the meeting announced by the former president.
Persistent political sensitivities
Sall’s return unfolds amidst a backdrop of strong criticism regarding his administration’s handling of opposition protests between 2021 and 2024, a period tragically marked by numerous fatalities. The new authorities have pledged to conduct thorough investigations into these incidents, despite the existence of an amnesty law covering actions committed during that timeframe. In March, a coalition identifying as victims of repression publicly voiced their opposition to the former president’s UN candidacy, leveling accusations of “crimes of blood and economic offenses” against him.
An eagerly anticipated encounter
The upcoming meeting between Macky Sall and Bassirou Diomaye Faye will be closely observed, as the former president actively seeks to garner support for his international aspiration. This encounter could also offer valuable insights into the evolving relationship between Senegal’s current leadership and their predecessor, set against a political landscape still shaped by historical grievances.
