Macky Sall’s return to Senegal for a meeting with president Faye ahead of his un secretary-general bid

Having resided in Morocco since concluding his presidential term two and a half years ago, former Senegalese head of state, Macky Sall, is scheduled to be received by his successor, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, on July 17th. This anticipated audience with the current Senegalese leader, as announced by Macky Sall on social media, is directly linked to his ongoing campaign for the prestigious position of United Nations Secretary-General.

“As part of the consultations and visits I have undertaken regarding my candidacy for the post of Secretary-General of the United Nations Organization, I will travel to Senegal on Friday, July 17, 2026. I extend my sincere thanks to His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye for the meeting we will have on this occasion. I express my profound gratitude to the Senegalese men and women for their support and encouragement since the announcement of my candidacy,” Macky Sall conveyed in his public statement.

His impending arrival in Dakar and the official reception by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye have ignited significant discussion and debate, particularly among the more vociferous elements within Ousmane Sonko’s Pastef party. For some, hosting Macky Sall is tantamount to providing “tacit approval for the pre-election violence and the numerous irregularities observed in the nation’s economic and financial governance.” This perspective highlights the deep divisions within Senegalese society and African politics regarding accountability for past administrations.

It is worth noting that Macky Sall’s bid for the United Nations Secretary-General role has not received official endorsement from Senegal itself, but rather from Burundi. Macky Sall presided over the Republic of Senegal from 2012 to 2024. In the months following his departure from the country’s leadership and his relocation to Marrakech, he has maintained a highly active international profile, engaging with numerous global leaders as a precursor to his ambition to lead the UN administration.