Former Senegal president Macky Sall meets with Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Dakar

After settling in Morocco following his departure from office in March 2024, former Senegalese President Macky Sall is set to return to Dakar on July 17 for a high-stakes meeting with current Head of State Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The encounter is part of Sall’s ongoing international outreach to rally support for his candidacy for the position of United Nations Secretary-General.

In a statement released by his office, Sall expressed his gratitude to President Faye for granting the audience and acknowledged the unwavering support of Senegalese citizens since he announced his candidacy. “As part of my consultations and visits related to my bid for the UN Secretary-General role, I will travel to Senegal on Friday, July 17, 2026. I deeply appreciate His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye for this opportunity to engage and convey my sincere thanks to the people of Senegal for their steadfast encouragement,” he noted.

Political tensions rise over Sall’s return

The announcement of Sall’s visit has already sparked debate across Senegal’s political spectrum, particularly within the ranks of the Pastef party led by Ousmane Sonko. Critics argue that welcoming Sall could imply endorsement of the political turbulence surrounding the 2024 elections and allegations of economic mismanagement during his tenure. Notably, Sall’s UN candidacy was not officially endorsed by Senegal but by Burundi.

Sall’s political journey and legacy

Macky Sall served as Senegal’s President from 2012 to 2024, succeeding his political mentor, Abdoulaye Wade. Prior to that, he held key roles including President of the National Assembly, Prime Minister (appointed in 2004), and Minister of Mines, Energy, and Hydraulics (2001–2004). His cabinet portfolio later expanded to include the Interior Ministry, where he also served as government spokesperson. Earlier in his career, he directed PETROSEN, the national oil company.

Since leaving office and relocating to Marrakech, Sall has maintained an active international presence, attending summits and engaging in high-level consultations with global leaders to bolster his UN bid.