The arrival of former President Macky Sall in Senegal on Friday has ignited fierce public backlash. Families of political victims and human rights advocates are expressing deep resentment, viewing his visit as a direct affront to justice and the memory of those who perished during his administration.
Salimaa Thiam, whose son Ousmane Dia died in the 2023 political unrest, voiced her anguish: “Hearing Macky Sall is coming back to Senegal reopens wounds that remain raw. I haven’t even finished grieving my son, killed in those tragic events.” She added, “We don’t want Macky Sall in this country. He is responsible for our suffering. If he had done nothing wrong, he would be welcome like any other citizen. But not him—he shouldn’t set foot here.”
Another victim, Mabinta Bibi Djiba, endured two imprisonments in 2021 and 2024 during the crackdown. Now under electronic monitoring, she insists President Bassirou Diomaye Faye must prioritize accountability over reconciliation. “Talking about reconciliation before addressing responsibility is a betrayal,” she argues.
political betrayal and impunity
Guy Marius Sagna, a lawmaker from the opposition Pastef party, condemned what he called a deliberate betrayal by the government. In his view, endorsing Macky Sall’s return—especially ahead of his potential UN candidacy—undermines justice for victims. “President Diomaye Faye once vowed never to fail the people. What a failure it is to roll out the red carpet for a man accused of orchestrating torture, political killings, and unlawful detentions between 2021 and 2024,” he declared.
Adama Sadio, a political science professor at Cheikh Anta Diop University, highlighted the polarizing nature of the controversy. “The victims are often labeled as opposition supporters, and their suffering is weaponized to weaken the current administration,” he noted.
The victims’ collective condemned the government’s approval of Macky Sall’s visit, calling it an insult to every family scarred by state repression during his tenure.
