The announcement of Macky Sall’s candidacy for the position of United Nations Secretary-General has sparked intense debate in Sénégal. Days after the former president’s official entry into the race, he returned to Dakar for a meeting with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This visit has ignited fierce opposition from collectives representing families of victims of political violence during his administration.

The former head of state was nominated by Burundi, which currently holds the presidency of the African Union. Macky Sall is leveraging his international experience, particularly his tenure as African Union chair from February 2022 to February 2023. His supporters argue that his candidacy aims to amplify Africa’s voice in global institutions.

However, the political landscape in Sénégal tells a different story. The current administration, elected in 2024, has accused the former government of suppressing opposition protests between 2021 and 2024, a period marked by deadly crackdowns that left dozens dead, according to human rights groups.

Mouhamed Fadel Bodian, a spokesperson for the families of the victims, expressed deep concern over the meeting between Macky Sall and the president.

« The audience granted to Macky Sall by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye regarding his UN candidacy is deeply troubling. We firmly believe that Mr. Sall is not a suitable candidate for Sénégal to endorse, » he stated.

Boubacar Sèye, president of the Martyrs’ Families Association, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the human cost of Sall’s presidency.

« For us, this is not just about a man returning to the political stage. It’s about the legacy of a period riddled with pain, where lives were lost during political unrest, » he said.

The opposition extends beyond civil society. Guy Marius Sagna, a deputy from the ruling Pastef party, condemned the visit in no uncertain terms.

« This visit is a fresh wound, a reopening of old scars for every victim from 2021 to 2024. These individuals sacrificed their lives to defend Sénégal’s democracy, and their suffering cannot be ignored, » he declared.

While the controversy rages domestically, Macky Sall’s candidacy is part of a larger international race to succeed António Guterres, whose term ends in December 2026. Two official candidates have already emerged: former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Argentine diplomat Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Costa Rica has proposed former Vice President Rebeca Grynspan, though her formal letter of candidacy has yet to be submitted. The push for a female UN Secretary-General is also gaining momentum.

The UN Security Council is set to begin formal evaluations of the candidates by the end of July. Their recommendation will then be sent to the General Assembly, the only body authorized to appoint the Secretary-General for a five-year term, renewable once.

For Macky Sall, this bid is more than a diplomatic maneuver—it’s a test of national memory and reconciliation in Sénégal.

By Mariama Hamani — Analyst