Boureima Amadou
Former Senegalese President Macky Sall is set to make his first return to Senegal on Friday, July 17, since stepping down from power in April 2024. This significant visit, a key development in African current affairs, forms part of his ongoing campaign to secure the prestigious position of United Nations Secretary-General. The trip will notably feature a high-stakes meeting with current President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who has yet to publicly endorse Sall’s international aspirations.
first visit since presidential departure
Macky Sall personally announced his impending visit to Dakar via a social media post, confirming his scheduled discussion with his successor, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This marks his initial presence in Senegal since concluding his presidential term on April 3, 2024. The former head of state indicated his intention to depart “immediately” following this pivotal encounter, which is arranged within the framework of consultations pertaining to his candidacy for the top UN role.
a candidacy sparking debate
In a departure from established protocol, Macky Sall’s bid for the UN Secretary-General position has not been officially presented by Senegal itself. Instead, it has been put forward by Burundi, which currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the African Union. As early as March, approximately twenty member states of the African Union, including Senegal, had chosen not to support his candidacy to succeed Antonio Guterres. At this juncture, the Senegalese presidency has refrained from officially confirming the meeting announced by the former president.
sensitive political climate persists
Sall’s return unfolds against a backdrop of persistent criticism regarding his administration’s handling of opposition protests between 2021 and 2024, a period tragically marked by dozens of fatalities. The new government has pledged to investigate these events thoroughly, despite the existence of an amnesty law that covers actions committed during that time. In March, a coalition identifying as victims of repression publicly voiced strong opposition to the former president’s UN candidacy, leveling accusations of “blood and economic crimes” against him.
an eagerly anticipated encounter
The forthcoming meeting between Macky Sall and Bassirou Diomaye Faye is poised for intense scrutiny. The former president is actively seeking to galvanize support for his international ambition. This interaction could also provide crucial insights into the evolving dynamic between Senegal’s current leadership and their predecessor, set against a political landscape still shaped by past disputes and unresolved issues, impacting broader continent news.
Mariama Hamani
