Macky Sall's UN Bid Brings Him Back to Senegal

Former Senegalese president Macky Sall returns to Senegal on Friday for the first time since leaving office in April 2024, in a visit tied to his bid to become the next UN secretary-general. Sall, who led Senegal from 2012 to 2024 and now lives in Morocco, is due to meet his successor, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, on Friday afternoon before leaving Dakar immediately afterwards, as reported by both AllAfrica and RFI.

The brief visit is "part of the consultations and visits I have undertaken in connection with my candidacy" for the UN post, Sall wrote on X earlier this week, according to the reports. He said he anticipated "having the opportunity to return to Dakar on another occasion to meet with activists and supporters."

Sall is hoping to secure the government's official support for his candidacy to replace Antonio Guterres as UN secretary-general. The UN is due to choose its 10th secretary-general this year for a five-year term beginning 1 January 2027, and Sall is one of five candidates for the post, alongside other international figures.

Coverage Comparison

Both AllAfrica and RFI present the story with a critical focus on Sall's controversial legacy. They report that opponents say the violence that marked the final months of his mandate should disqualify him from the role. The outlets quote critics and opponents of Sall, emphasising what they describe as his "disastrous track record," including "deadly protests" and "repression."

The two sources are consistent in their facts, both highlighting Sall's disputed economic record and the amnesty law that has prevented prosecutions for violent incidents during his rule.

Key Claims

  • Sall returns to Senegal for the first time since leaving office in April 2024, with the visit tied to his UN secretary-general bid, as reported by both AllAfrica and RFI.
  • Opponents say the violence during his mandate should disqualify him from the role, according to both sources.
  • Sall is due to meet his successor, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, on Friday afternoon, as both outlets report.
  • His government misreported key economic data, including debt and deficit figures, leading to discrepancies that prompted the International Monetary Fund to suspend its loans. Sall denies any wrongdoing, as stated by both AllAfrica and RFI.
  • A general amnesty passed in the final weeks of Sall's government ruled out prosecutions for offences by both security forces and protesters during violent demonstrations between 2021 and 2024. Lawmakers partially lifted the amnesty for the most serious crimes last year, according to both sources.
  • More than 67 people were killed during opposition protests during Sall's rule, a figure reported by a single source.
  • Sall was nominated by Burundi, the current chair of the African Union, but has failed to secure the support of his own country or the continental bloc. Around 20 AU member states, including Senegal, declined to back his candidacy in March, as reported in the provided coverage.

Perspectives

Opponents and victims' families

Associations representing the families of people who died in opposition protests during Sall's rule have expressed anger at his meeting with Faye and called on the president to honour his pledge to deliver justice, as reported by both AllAfrica and RFI. They argue the violence during his mandate should disqualify him from the UN role.

Macky Sall

Sall denies any wrongdoing regarding the economic data misreporting and has framed his visit as part of consultations and visits in connection with his candidacy, according to his own statement on X quoted by both outlets.