The upcoming meeting between Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his predecessor Macky Sall has sparked fierce debate across the country. The former leader, who governed from 2012 to 2024, is expected in Dakar to secure Senegal’s endorsement for his candidacy to become the next United Nations Secretary-General.

Justice delayed: victims’ pain resurfaces

For the families of victims from the 2021–2024 crackdowns, Sall’s return to Senegal reopens deep wounds. Seydi Gassama, who accompanies 67 families in their legal quests for justice, voices their outrage at the timing of this visit. “It’s not Sall’s right to return that shocks us—any Senegalese citizen may do so. What wounds us is President Faye’s failure to deliver on his promise of justice for the regime’s victims. No prosecutions, no reparations—only silence. Now, he receives Sall, signaling tacit support for the ex-president’s UN ambitions. This is unacceptable.”

Amnesty International Senegal’s director echoed the sentiment, stressing that Sall bears heavy responsibility for the past repression. “His presence alone carries the weight of unanswered crimes. Granting him a platform now undermines the very credibility of Senegal’s transitional justice efforts.”

Broken pledges and lingering impunity

During his 2024 campaign, President Faye vowed to prioritize justice for the victims of political repression. Yet over two years into his mandate, no trials have materialized, and compensation remains minimal. Victim collectives express frustration, arguing that the government’s inaction perpetuates a climate of impunity.

Human rights organizations warn that Sall’s UN candidacy—backed by Burundi under the African Union’s rotating presidency—further complicates the healing process. Analysts argue that his historical record disqualifies him from global leadership.

Political maneuvering overshadows reconciliation

Supporters of the ruling Alliance for the Republic (APR) dismiss the criticism as exaggerated. Assane Samb, a political analyst, suggests the meeting could reshape Senegal’s political landscape. “President Faye’s break from his original party, Pastef, signals a strategic pivot. This gathering with Sall may lay groundwork for alliances with traditional opposition parties, potentially uniting against the still-influential Pastef bloc.”

Silence from key political actors

Neither the presidency nor Pastef, led by Ousmane Sonko, has commented publicly on Sall’s planned visit. This would mark Sall’s first return to Senegal since relinquishing power in April 2024.

His UN bid, unconventionally sponsored by Burundi rather than Senegal, faces resistance. In late March, over twenty African Union member states—including Senegal—rejected his candidacy to succeed António Guterres.