Macky Sall’s first visit to Senegal since leaving office in April 2024 coincides with mounting pressure from victims’ families and activists demanding justice for the 2021-2024 protest crackdowns. Boubacar Sèye, a prominent activist, condemned the timing as “indecent”, stating that “receiving a leader whose legacy remains tied to one of the most violent periods in recent history is an insult to the victims who lost their lives”.

Divisive reactions greet the visit

While opposition figures and victims’ groups denounce the meeting as an affront to justice, Sall’s supporters are organizing large-scale welcome events in Dakar. The former president’s party, the Alliance for the Republic (APR), has called for mass mobilizations, with social media campaigns encouraging citizens to greet him upon arrival. According to his own statement, Sall intends to depart “immediately” after the meeting with President Faye.

A backdrop of international ambitions

His visit comes amid growing speculation about his potential candidacy for United Nations Secretary-General. Notably, Sall’s nomination was put forward by Burundi during its African Union presidency rotation, bypassing Senegalese government channels. Officials in Dakar have yet to comment on the meeting, though Defense Minister Yankhoba Diémé emphasized that Sall’s visit is a “routine return to his country”, noting that he “faces no legal accusations, charges, or convictions”.