The upcoming meeting between Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his predecessor Macky Sall has ignited fierce debate across the country. Sall, who governed from 2012 to 2024, is expected in Dakar to seek Senegal’s backing for his bid to become the next United Nations Secretary-General.
Justice deferred fuels outrage
For the families of victims who lost loved ones during the 2021-2024 crackdowns, the timing of Sall’s visit is deeply painful. Seydi Gassama, who represents 67 families in their legal quests for accountability, sees the meeting as a betrayal of justice. “It is not Sall’s return that shocks us,” he states. “He is a citizen with every right to visit. What shocks us is that President Faye, despite his promises, has yet to deliver justice for the victims of Sall’s regime. No trials, no reparations—just silence. And now he welcomes Sall, signaling support for a candidacy that should never be legitimized.”
Broken pledges and unhealed wounds
During his campaign, Faye vowed to prioritize justice for victims of political repression. Yet over two years into his presidency, no court cases have been opened, and compensation remains minimal. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International Senegal, condemn this inaction. “Sall’s legacy is stained with blood,” the organization asserts. “His candidacy for the UN top job contradicts every principle of accountability.”
Political chess moves
Analyst Assane Samb suggests the meeting could reshape Senegal’s political landscape. “Faye has distanced himself from his original party, Pastef, and is forming a new political force,” Samb notes. “This gathering may lay the groundwork for an alliance between Faye’s new movement and traditional opposition parties, creating a united front against Pastef’s enduring influence.”
Neither the presidency nor Pastef, led by Ousmane Sonko, has commented publicly on Sall’s planned visit. This would mark Sall’s first return to Senegal since leaving office in April 2024.
A candidacy outside the norm
Unlike typical UN appointments, Sall’s bid is backed by Burundi, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the African Union (AU). In late March, over twenty AU member states—including Senegal—rejected Sall’s candidacy to succeed Antonio Guterres. The timing of his Senegal visit, amid this opposition, adds another layer of controversy.
