Sénégal has officially endorsed the candidacy of former president Macky Sall for the position of UN Secretary-General, reversing its prior stance just three days after a meeting between Sall and current president Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Dakar, as confirmed in an official statement.

Until recently, Dakar had not signaled support for Sall, who led Senegal from 2012 to 2024. His bid was not submitted by his home country, as is customary, but instead by Burundi, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the African Union (AU).

In late March, around two dozen AU member states, including Senegal, declined to back his bid to succeed António Guterres.

The former president faces allegations from Senegalese authorities, in power since April 2024, of severe crackdowns on opposition protests between 2021 and 2024, which resulted in dozens of fatalities.

However, the government’s position shifted following a brief visit by Macky Sall to Dakar.

A candidacy “for Africa’s service”

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has “decided that Senegal will fully support the candidacy” of Macky Sall for the role of UN Secretary-General, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He has instructed the government and Senegal’s diplomatic network to mobilize fully in promoting this bid among UN member states.

The candidacy of Macky Sall is now presented as “Senegal’s contribution to Africa and to stronger multilateralism.”

More than two years after leaving office in April 2024, Sall returned to Dakar on Friday, greeted by thousands of supporters. His visit drew criticism from opponents, who demand accountability for dozens of killings during his administrations.

The current administration also accuses him of concealing a significant portion of the country’s debt, which has strained the national economy.