Macky sall’s return to Senegal stirs political tensions

The political landscape in Senegal is once again in turmoil following the unexpected announcement of former President Macky Sall’s return to the country after two years in exile. Scheduled for this Friday, July 17, his arrival at Dakar’s Yoff military airport marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s post-electoral transition.

Set to meet with the current President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Sall’s visit arrives at a time of deep divisions. The timing is particularly sensitive, as Faye was once a political prisoner under Sall’s administration—a stark contrast to their roles today. The meeting underscores the complex dynamics of Senegal’s evolving leadership.

Echoes of a turbulent past

The former president’s return has reopened old wounds. During the 2024 electoral campaign, Faye and his mentor, Ousmane Sonko, were imprisoned alongside hundreds of supporters of their party, Pastef. Among them was activist Aly Coly, whose family was detained for months simply for wearing Pastef’s colors. “They even imprisoned my wife and our three-month-old baby,” he recounts. “Now, seeing our president welcoming the man who orchestrated this is unbearable.”

Between 2021 and 2024, at least 65 people lost their lives in crackdowns on protests, while over a thousand political prisoners were detained—many for minor acts of support. These injustices fueled Faye’s campaign and resonate deeply with Senegalese society, which continues to demand accountability.

“No investigations, no consequences—just Sall’s return as if nothing happened,” Aly Coly laments. “We’re not blind. This is the return of the old corrupt system.”

Ambition beyond borders: Sall’s UN candidacy

Sall’s brief visit is tied to a higher ambition: his bid for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. His campaign, launched before the UN General Assembly in April, positions him as a champion of multilateralism. However, his candidacy has struggled to gain traction, notably lacking support from the African Union and his own government.

Yet, a green light from Bassirou Diomaye Faye could change the game. For the current president, aligning with his predecessor may offer strategic advantages amid rising tensions with Sonko, who holds significant influence in the national assembly. “This meeting may surprise many, but it reflects the political realities of recent months,” notes Maurice Soundieck Dione, a political science professor at Gaston Berger University.

Political strategy or betrayal?

For Faye, the alliance could strengthen his position. However, it risks alienating his base, which views the reintegration of Sall’s allies into the state as a betrayal of his reformist promises. “Culturally, turning against a mentor like Sonko is seen as dishonorable,” Dione explains. “It contradicts the very values Faye was elected on.”

As Senegal grapples with economic challenges and political fractures, the meeting between the two leaders may either isolate Faye further or pave the way for a fragile alliance. One thing is certain: the nation’s future hangs in the balance.