First return since end of presidential mandate 

Macky Sall confirmed via Facebook his imminent arrival in Dakar this Friday for talks with his successor, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This visit marks his initial presence in Senegal since relinquishing the presidency on April 3, 2024. The former head of state clarified that he intends to depart “immediately” after the meeting, which is part of the broader consultations surrounding his candidacy for the United Nations Secretary-General post.

A candidacy sparking division 

In an unconventional move, Macky Sall’s bid for the top UN role is not being formally sponsored by Senegal. Instead, it is Burundi, currently holding the rotating chairmanship of the African Union, that has put forward his name. By the end of March, an estimated twenty African Union member states, including Senegal, had chosen not to endorse his aspiration to succeed Antonio Guterres. As of now, the Senegalese presidency has yet to officially confirm the meeting that the former president announced. 

An enduringly sensitive political climate 
  

Sall’s return unfolds amid persistent criticisms concerning his administration’s response to opposition protests between 2021 and 2024, a period during which dozens of lives were tragically lost. The current government has pledged to investigate these incidents thoroughly, despite the existence of an amnesty law that covers actions committed during that contentious period. In March, a collective identifying as victims of the repression publicly stated its firm opposition to the former president’s UN candidacy, leveling accusations of “blood and economic crimes” against him. 

A highly anticipated discussion 

The upcoming meeting between Macky Sall and Bassirou Diomaye Faye will be under intense scrutiny. The former president is actively seeking to garner crucial support for his international ambition. This encounter could also offer significant insights into the evolving dynamic between Senegal’s new leadership and its predecessor, especially given the unresolved political tensions from the past.