The arrival of former President Macky Sall in Senegal on July 17, 2026, has sparked widespread outrage across the country.

Relatives of individuals killed during political unrest and survivors of imprisonment are speaking out, condemning what they see as an affront to justice and memory. Families of victims whose loved ones died during the crackdowns under Sall’s administration are particularly distressed, with many describing his visit as a fresh wound.

Salimaa Thiam, whose son Ousmane Dia was killed during the political turmoil, shared her grief: “Hearing that Macky Sall is returning to Senegal reopens the wound at a time when I have barely begun to heal. My son was taken from me during those dark political events, and his loss still haunts me every day.”

Others are even more direct. “We do not want Macky Sall in this country. He is responsible for our suffering,” declared a grieving mother. “If he had done nothing wrong, he would be welcome like any other citizen. But not him. He must not set foot here again.”

Civil society leaders are also voicing strong opposition. Mabinta Bibi Djiba, who was imprisoned twice—in 2021 and 2024—during the political unrest, argues that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye should prioritize addressing impunity before pursuing reconciliation. “He speaks of reconciliation, but justice must come first. We cannot reconcile without knowing who is responsible for our suffering,” she insisted.

political betrayal or pragmatic move?

Political figures have joined the chorus of criticism. Guy Marius Sagna, a member of Parliament from the Pastef party, accused President Faye of betraying the victims by allowing Sall’s visit, especially as it coincides with efforts to support Sall’s potential candidacy for UN Secretary-General.

In a scathing statement, Sagna condemned the move: “When President Faye took office, he promised never to let the people down. Yet here we are, learning that he will host our oppressor—the architect of torture, political killings, and unlawful detentions from 2021 to 2024.”

Professor Adama Sadio, a political science lecturer at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, highlights the deep political divisions fueling the controversy. “This is a political dossier. The victims are often labeled as supporters of opposition groups, and any action taken against their interests is seen as a strategic move rather than a moral one.”

The Collective of Victims of Macky Sall has condemned the visit as a deliberate insult to all those who suffered under his rule, particularly during the 2021 and 2024 crackdowns.