The former President of Senegal, Macky Sall, will return to Dakar on July 17, 2026 for a high-profile meeting with the current head of state, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This private audience comes as Sall finalizes his campaign for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, a role he is pursuing with intensified diplomatic efforts.
In a statement shared on social platforms, Sall expressed his gratitude to President Faye for the invitation and acknowledged the unwavering support from the Senegalese people since announcing his candidacy. His message underscored the significance of this meeting in the broader context of his global consultations ahead of the UN leadership race.
While the encounter is framed as a diplomatic courtesy, it has sparked intense debate within Senegalese political circles. Supporters of the opposition party Pastef, founded by Ousmane Sonko, view the meeting with skepticism. Some critics argue that welcoming Sall could be interpreted as an endorsement of controversies surrounding his presidency—particularly allegations of pre-election unrest and financial mismanagement during his time in office.
Sall, who served as Senegal’s President from 2012 to 2024, has maintained an active international profile since leaving office. After relocating to Marrakech, he embarked on a series of high-level meetings with global leaders to strengthen his bid for the UN’s top administrative position. Notably, his candidacy is being officially backed by Burundi, rather than by Senegal itself.
