Thursday’s announcement of Sall’s visit triggered immediate outrage from civil society groups demanding accountability for the dozens of deaths reported during the crackdown on demonstrations. Boubacar Sèye, a spokesperson for one such collective, condemned the visit as “an affront to justice”, stating, “We demand full accountability for the victims of this dark chapter in our recent history.”

A deeply divided response

While opposition figures and victims’ families decry the visit as “an insult to the memory of those who perished”, supporters of the former president are preparing a grand welcome. The Alliance for the Republic (APR), Sall’s former party, has called on its members to organize mass rallies in Dakar, with gatherings planned for Thursday and Friday. On social media, Sall himself confirmed he would depart “immediately” after his meeting with President Faye.

Meanwhile, the government has remained tight-lipped. Defense Minister Yankhoba Diémé sought to downplay the controversy, describing Sall’s return as “a routine visit to his home country” and emphasizing that he “faces no charges, lawsuits, or convictions.”

UN ambitions cast a shadow over the visit

The timing of Sall’s trip is no coincidence. His candidacy for the position of UN Secretary-General, endorsed by Burundi during its presidency of the African Union, has drawn both praise and criticism. Observers note that this bid—orchestrated outside Senegal’s official channels—further complicates the already strained political climate.