In Senegal, the planned meeting between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his predecessor Macky Sall has sparked intense debate. Sall is expected in Dakar to seek Senegal’s backing for his candidacy for United Nations Secretary-General.

Old wounds reopen

For families of victims from the 2021–2024 protest crackdowns, Sall’s return is deeply painful. Seydi Gassama, who represents 67 presumed victims in legal proceedings, calls the timing of this meeting highly inappropriate.

“It’s not Macky Sall’s right to return to Senegal that troubles us, explains the Amnesty International Senegal director. He is a Senegalese citizen with every right to be here. What shocks us is that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, despite his promises, has taken no meaningful steps to deliver justice for the victims of Sall’s regime. No accountability, no reparations—just a warm reception for a leader accused of grave human rights violations. We find this utterly unacceptable.”

Broken campaign promises

During his election campaign, Bassirou Diomaye Faye vowed to prioritize justice for victims of repression. Yet over two years into his presidency, no trials have been held and compensation remains minimal—a fact that victim advocacy groups continue to denounce.

Human rights organizations argue that Sall’s UN candidacy is incompatible with his legacy of repression. They point to the lack of transitional justice as a betrayal of public trust.

APR’s response

Leaders of the Alliance for the Republic (APR), Sall’s former party, dismiss the criticism as exaggerated.

Political analyst Assane Samb suggests the meeting could reshape national reconciliation efforts and Senegal’s political landscape.

“President Diomaye Faye has distanced himself from his original political family, Pastef, he notes. This meeting may signal an emerging alliance between his new party and established opposition groups. Together, they could form a united front against the still-powerful Pastef movement.”

Pastef remains silent

Neither the Senegalese presidency nor Pastef, the party led by Ousmane Sonko, has commented on Sall’s announced visit.

This would mark Sall’s first return to Senegal since leaving office in April 2024. His UN bid, unusually backed by Burundi as current African Union chair rather than Senegal, was rejected by over 20 AU member states—including Senegal—in late March.