A political bombshell rocked Senegal this week as former president Macky Sall landed at Dakar’s Yoff military airport. His surprise visit, just two years after his electoral defeat, marks the first step of a high-stakes meeting with current president Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The encounter, though brief, has sent shockwaves through the nation, reopening old wounds and sparking fierce debate.

The timing couldn’t be more sensitive. Just months before Senegal’s 2024 presidential vote, Bassirou Diomaye Faye was still behind bars at Cap Manuel prison, along with hundreds of supporters from his Pastef party. Among them was activist Aly Coly, whose family endured months of imprisonment for simply wearing Pastef colors. ‘They even locked up my wife and our three-month-old baby,’ he recalls. ‘Now, as I watch my child play, I hear our president is welcoming the man who ordered it all.’

The wounds from those years remain raw. Over 1,000 political prisoners were detained during the crackdown, some for wearing Pastef bracelets. At least 65 people died in clashes between 2021 and 2024. ‘No investigations, no accountability—just Macky’s return as if nothing happened,’ Aly fumes. ‘Senegalese aren’t blind. We see what’s happening.’

Macky Sall’s arrival isn’t just a domestic affair. In a statement, he confirmed his visit is tied to his campaign for United Nations Secretary-General, a role he pitched to the UN General Assembly in April as a champion of multilateralism. Yet his bid has stalled, with the African Union and his own country yet to endorse him. A nod from Bassirou Diomaye Faye could change that.

The idea horrifies many. ‘The UN’s purpose is to defend human rights,’ Aly argues. ‘How can someone who oversaw 65 deaths lead this institution?’

Others see opportunity. Maurice Soundieck Dione, a political science professor at Gaston Berger University, argues Sall’s candidacy could boost Senegal’s global image, attracting investors and foreign capital. ‘Perception matters,’ he notes. ‘It’s about credibility.’

For Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the meeting could be a strategic lifeline. Tensions with his former mentor, Ousmane Sonko—now Speaker of Parliament—have escalated, with Sonko wielding significant influence to challenge the president’s agenda. ‘This isn’t just a coincidence,’ Dione explains. ‘It’s the logical next step in Senegal’s shifting political landscape.’

Yet the move risks alienating Faye’s base. Critics accuse him of backsliding into ‘the old corrupt system’, citing controversial appointments. ‘There’s a deep sense of betrayal,’ Dione says. ‘In Senegal, turning your back on your mentor is culturally unacceptable.’

As Friday’s meeting approaches, Senegal stands at a crossroads. Will it deepen Faye’s isolation or forge a new political alliance? The answer may redefine the nation’s future.