In Sénégal, the widely publicized meeting between current President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his predecessor, Macky Sall, has ignited widespread indignation. This anger is particularly pronounced among the families of those who suffered political repression during Sall’s time in office. They view this visit as deeply insensitive, coming at a time when they are still desperately seeking justice and reparations for their losses.

What fuels this controversy, and what potential impacts could this high-profile encounter have on Sénégal’s political landscape? To shed light on these critical questions, we turned to political analyst Assane Samb. He first offered his insights into the broader significance of this meeting within the current political climate of Sénégal.

Interview with Assane Samb

Assane Samb noted that while some vocal factions expressed discontent, this meeting was, in fact, largely anticipated. He explained that with Macky Sall now a candidate for the United Nations Secretary-General position, it became imperative for his candidacy to garner support from various African nations, including Burundi, and crucially, from global powers like the President of China, who played a pivotal role in this context. Consequently, diplomatic efforts were made to smooth over any existing tensions.

Our correspondent then asked: Why does this particular visit generate such strong reactions, especially from victims’ associations and segments of civil society?

Mr. Samb attributed this to the specific events that unfolded between 2021 and 2024. He recalled the intense street confrontations between protestors and the defense and security forces, characterizing the period as one where the populace was driven by a revolutionary dynamic.

Following up, our correspondent inquired: Many organizations, including Amnesty International, contend that the former President bears responsibility, as he was the guarantor of public security and the exercise of freedoms, including the right to protest. Mr. Samb, is President Faye currently facing a dilemma, balancing the state’s diplomatic imperatives with his political base’s demands for justice?

Mr. Samb responded that while President Faye was still part of Pastef, he indeed hesitated to openly endorse Macky Sall. However, now that he has distanced himself from those ties, he no longer feels constrained, indicating a clear shift in his stance.

Our correspondent then asked: To what extent might Macky Sall’s bid for the position of UN Secretary-General further polarize the political discourse in Sénégal?

Mr. Samb explained that the underlying calculations extend beyond the immediate concerns of the victims, whom he referred to as