Senegal has officially endorsed former president Macky Sall’s candidacy for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, marking a major step forward in his international ambitions. The announcement was made by Senegal’s Ministry of African Integration and Foreign Affairs after Macky Sall met President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Friday to discuss his bid for the UN’s top diplomatic position.
The decision gives Macky Sall, whose candidacy had previously been supported by Burundi without formal backing from Dakar, the full support of Senegal’s diplomatic apparatus ahead of his next hearing scheduled for July 23 in New York.
A controversial political rapprochement
The meeting between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Macky Sall was their first encounter since the handover of power on April 2, 2024, following the presidential election won by Faye.
After leaving office, Macky Sall moved to Morocco with his family, while his former political opponents accused his administration of human rights violations and economic mismanagement.
The rapprochement has sparked criticism from some supporters of the ruling Pastef party, led by Ousmane Sonko. The party has repeatedly questioned Macky Sall’s record, particularly regarding the crackdown on opposition protests between 2021 and 2024 and allegations surrounding Senegal’s public debt.
Possible electoral calculations behind the move
Beyond the UN issue, analysts see potential domestic political considerations behind Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s decision to welcome his predecessor.
Senegal is approaching important electoral deadlines, including local elections scheduled for January 2027 and possible legislative elections if the president decides to dissolve the National Assembly.
A future alliance between Faye’s political movement and Macky Sall’s Alliance for the Republic (APR) could become strategically important in a closely contested political landscape.
For Macky Sall, the support from Dakar strengthens his diplomatic campaign at a crucial moment as he seeks international recognition for his candidacy.
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