controversy over Macky Sall’s return to Dakar ahead of meeting with Bassirou Diomaye Faye

The anticipated return of former Senegalese President Macky Sall to Dakar on Friday, July 17, for a meeting with current President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has sparked intense debate across the country. This visit, marking his first return since leaving office in April 2024, has reignited deep-seated grievances over the violent suppression of protests between 2021 and 2024.

A coalition of civil society groups has condemned the timing of the visit, demanding accountability for the dozens of lives lost during those turbulent years. Boubacar Sèye, a prominent activist, described the return as “an affront to justice”, stating, “The victims deserve answers, and those responsible must face consequences.”

divided reactions to the former president’s visit

Political figures are sharply split over the former leader’s reception. Guy Marius Sagna, a legislator aligned with the ruling party, condemned the visit outright, calling it “an insult to victims and political prisoners.” His remarks highlight the lingering resentment toward Sall’s administration during its final years in power.

In stark contrast, members of the Alliance for the Republic (APR), Sall’s former party, have organized large-scale rallies in Dakar to welcome him. The party has urged supporters to turn out in force, while Sall himself has stated he will depart immediately after his meeting with President Faye.

UN secretary-general bid fuels tensions

Sall’s visit coincides with his candidacy for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, a role he is pursuing with backing from Burundi rather than Senegal. The presidency has yet to comment publicly on the matter, though Minister of Armed Forces Yankhoba Diémé dismissed concerns, asserting that Sall’s return is a “routine visit” and that he faces “no legal proceedings or convictions.”