Former Senegalese President Macky Sall met with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Dakar to seek Senegal’s support for his candidacy for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, marking his first visit to the country since leaving office in April 2024.
According to the Senegalese Presidency, Sall briefed President Faye on his campaign for the UN’s top job and pledged to keep the Head of State informed throughout the selection process. Burundi, which currently holds the rotating African Union presidency, nominated Sall for the position earlier this year.
Thousands of supporters welcomed the former president on arrival at a military airport in Dakar, where he addressed the crowd before proceeding to the presidential meeting.
READ ALSO: Former Senegal President Seeks Backing for UN Bid
Sall, who served as Senegal’s president from 2012 to 2024 and has lived in Morocco since leaving office, departed Dakar later the same day.
The visit, however, drew criticism from sections of the ruling camp and civil society groups. Critics accuse Sall’s administration of political repression that allegedly resulted in dozens of deaths during his final years in office, as well as concealing unfavourable economic data.
The meeting also exposed divisions within President Faye’s political camp, following his recent dismissal of former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.
In protest against Sall’s visit, one of President Faye’s political advisers, Alioune Ibnou Abitalib Sow, announced his resignation, describing the former president as being responsible for many of the country’s current challenges.
A civil society collective that has long condemned the crackdown under Sall’s administration also criticised the visit, renewing calls for accountability over the deaths recorded during his tenure.
Africanews
