Senegal’s political landscape turned its gaze back to the era of President Macky Sall during a recent public unveiling of a new book in Dakar. The event, held at a prominent venue, brought together political figures, diplomats, and analysts to explore a work that promises to reveal the inner workings of Senegal’s presidential governance from 2012 to 2024. The highlight of the ceremony was the testimony of former Foreign Minister Aïssata Tall Sall, whose firsthand account added significant depth to the book’s narrative.
Documenting the unseen: A memoir of Senegal’s diplomatic journey
Oumar Demba Bâ, a long-time figure in the shadows of Senegal’s presidential palace, served as Macky Sall’s diplomatic advisor for over a decade. Tasked with shaping Senegal’s stance on critical regional and global issues, he played a pivotal role in navigating the country’s positions within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Sahel mediation efforts, and multilateral summits in Addis Ababa, New York, and Paris. His book offers a rare glimpse into the decision-making processes that defined twelve years of Senegalese politics.
The publication fits into a broader trend emerging in West Africa, where outgoing government officials are increasingly documenting their experiences in office. This emerging practice, though still novel in the region’s political tradition, contributes to institutional memory, providing valuable insights for diplomats, policymakers, and researchers navigating the legacy of past administrations.
Aïssata Tall Sall’s revelations on Senegal’s foreign policy
During her address at the event, former Foreign Minister Aïssata Tall Sall shared detailed insights into how Macky Sall approached Senegal’s international relations. Having served as the country’s top diplomat during the final years of Sall’s presidency, she emphasized the close collaboration between the president and his diplomatic advisor. In her account, Oumar Demba Bâ acted as a discreet yet essential intermediary, bridging the gap between the head of state and Senegal’s international partners.
Tall Sall’s remarks touched on several high-stakes diplomatic challenges managed by Dakar during this period, including Senegal’s 2022 presidency of the African Union, regional tensions involving Mali and Burkina Faso, and the country’s relationship with Western capitals. She praised Bâ’s meticulous approach, describing him as the architect behind Senegal’s carefully crafted international positioning. Her testimony elevates the book beyond a personal memoir, positioning it as a valuable historical document.
Memories in a tense political transition
The book’s release comes at a time of heightened scrutiny in Senegal. Since Bassirou Diomaye Faye assumed office in April 2024, investigations into the previous administration’s governance—particularly regarding public finances and key contracts—have intensified. The statements of former officials from Macky Sall’s regime are being closely examined by both political circles and civil society in Senegal.
Oumar Demba Bâ’s work is not framed as an act of retribution. Early readers describe it as an effort to contextualize the era, with the author defending the diplomatic achievements of his former boss while acknowledging the constraints and trade-offs that shaped decisions in the presidential palace. This approach mirrors the approach taken by former presidential advisors in countries like France and Côte d’Ivoire, who, after the end of their political cycles, publish their accounts to influence the historical narrative of their time.
Analysts point out that the book’s value lies not only in its content but also in the signal it sends. It underscores how Senegal’s outgoing leadership intends to remain influential in the country’s public discourse, including through intellectual contributions. The reception it receives from Senegalese readers and regional diplomatic circles will be telling, especially in a nation where debates about the governance of the past decade remain unresolved.
