A planned meeting between Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his predecessor Macky Sall—expected in Dakar to seek Sall’s backing for a United Nations secretary-general bid—has sparked intense debate across the nation.

A visit that reopens old wounds

For the families of victims from the 2021–2024 unrest, Sall’s return to Senegal is a painful reminder. Seydi Gassama, who represents 67 presumed victims in legal proceedings, argues this visit sends a damaging message.

“It’s not Macky Sall’s right to return to Senegal that shocks us, notes the Senegal director of Amnesty International. As a citizen, he has every right to be here. What troubles us is that since taking office, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has taken no meaningful steps to deliver justice for the victims of Sall’s regime. No accountability, no reparations—just a meeting to support Sall’s UN candidacy. This is unacceptable. Sall bears heavy responsibility for the suffering endured.”

Broken campaign pledges

During his election campaign, Bassirou Diomaye Faye vowed to prioritize justice for victims of past abuses. Yet over two years into his presidency, no trials have begun and compensation remains minimal—a fact that victim advocacy groups continue to criticize.

Human rights organizations have also decried the lack of progress. Seydi Gassama insists Sall’s history makes him unfit for a UN leadership role.

The APR’s stance

Officials from the Alliance for the Republic (APR), Sall’s former party, dismiss accusations from victim groups as exaggerated.

Political analyst Assane Samb warns the meeting could reshape Senegal’s reconciliation process and political landscape.

“Since breaking ties with his original party, Pastef, and forming his own political movement, Samb explains, what’s next? They may seek to forge strategic alliances with traditional opposition parties, creating a united front against Pastef’s still-significant influence.”

Pastef’s silence

Neither Senegal’s presidency nor Pastef—the party led by Ousmane Sonko—has publicly addressed Macky Sall’s upcoming visit.

This would mark Sall’s first return to Senegal since leaving office in April 2024, following his decade-long presidency from 2012 to 2024.

His UN secretary-general candidacy was not submitted by Senegal, as is customary, but by Burundi, which currently holds the rotating African Union presidency. In late March, over twenty African Union member states—including Senegal—rejected Sall’s bid to replace António Guterres.