The planned meeting between Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his predecessor Macky Sall—expected in Dakar to seek support for Sall’s bid for UN Secretary-General—has ignited sharp controversy.

Reopening old wounds

For families of victims from the 2021-2024 crackdowns, Sall’s return to Senegal reopens deep wounds. Seydi Gassama, representing 67 presumed victims’ families in legal proceedings, calls the meeting a dangerous signal.

“It’s not that Macky Sall’s return to Senegal shocks us, says the director of Amnesty International Senegal. As a citizen, he has every right to visit. What shocks us is President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s failure to deliver justice to victims of Sall’s regime. No accountability has been served, yet now he receives Sall to endorse his UN candidacy. This is completely unacceptable. Sall bears heavy responsibility for what occurred.”

Broken campaign promises

During his 2024 campaign, Diomaye Faye vowed to prioritize justice for victims of repression. Yet over two years into his presidency, no trials have begun and compensation remains minimal—leaving victims’ collectives deeply frustrated.

Human rights organizations echo this criticism, arguing Sall’s candidacy for UN Secretary-General is incompatible with his past actions. Gassama insists his legacy disqualifies him from such a role.

APR’s defensive stance

The Alliance for the Republic (APR), Sall’s former party, dismisses victims’ groups’ outrage as exaggerated.

Political analyst Assane Samb suggests the meeting could reshape national reconciliation and Senegal’s political landscape. “Since Diomaye Faye distanced himself from his original party, Pastef, and is forming a new political movement, this encounter may signal a strategic alliance between his new party and traditional opposition forces. This could create a united front against Pastef’s enduring influence,” he explains.

Pastef remains silent

Neither Senegal’s presidency nor Pastef—the party led by Ousmane Sonko—has commented on Sall’s announced visit. This would mark Sall’s first return to Senegal since leaving office in April 2024.

Though Sall’s UN candidacy was not submitted by his home country (as is customary), it was proposed by Burundi, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the African Union (AU). In late March, over 20 AU member states—including Senegal—rejected his bid to replace Antonio Guterres.