Dakar is preparing for a significant diplomatic exchange this week as former President Macky Sall touches down in the capital. The visit, described as a brief working trip, centers on a crucial meeting with current President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
Scheduled for Friday, Sall’s arrival marks his first return to Senegal’s political stage since stepping down from office two years ago. His presence carries weight beyond bilateral relations, as he actively campaigns for a top United Nations position.
Sall seeks the official endorsement of Senegal as he vies for the UN Secretary-General role, a position currently held by António Guterres. Despite submitting his candidacy in February, Senegal’s government has not yet publicly backed his bid. Officials in Dakar confirmed earlier this year that the country had neither supported nor initiated Sall’s nomination.
The political climate in Senegal adds complexity to the situation. Tensions between President Faye and his former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko continue to shape domestic discourse. Meanwhile, calls for accountability over past governance issues under Sall’s administration grow louder.
Against this backdrop, Sall’s meeting with Faye could signal a turning point in his international campaign—and in how Senegal positions itself on the global stage.
