Senegal backs Macky Sall’s un bid after diplomatic shift
Senegal backs Macky Sall’s UN bid after diplomatic shift
Senegal has announced its support for the candidacy of former President Macky Sall for the position of UN Secretary-General. This marks a significant shift in the country’s stance, announced just three days after a meeting between the former leader and his successor, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
Up until this point, Dakar had not indicated any support for Macky Sall, who led Senegal from 2012 to 2024. His candidacy was not submitted by his home country, as is customary, but by Burundi, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the African Union (AU).
In late March, around twenty AU member states, including Senegal, had declined to support Macky Sall’s bid to replace Antonio Guterres as UN Secretary-General.
The former president faces accusations from Senegalese authorities, who came to power in April 2024, of severely repressing opposition protests between 2021 and 2024, which resulted in dozens of deaths.
However, Dakar has now reversed its position just three days after Macky Sall’s brief visit to the capital.
A candidacy ‘for the service of Africa’
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has ‘decided that Senegal will fully support the candidacy’ of Macky Sall for the position of UN Secretary-General, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He has also instructed the government and Senegal’s entire diplomatic network to fully mobilize in promoting this candidacy among UN member states.
Macky Sall’s candidacy is now described as ‘Senegal’s candidate in the service of Africa and more effective multilateralism.’
More than two years after leaving office in April 2024, and after completing two terms, Macky Sall returned to Dakar on Friday, where he was welcomed by thousands of supporters. His visit drew criticism from his detractors, who continue to demand accountability for the dozens of killings that occurred during his terms in office.
The current administration has also accused him of concealing a significant portion of the country’s debt, which has contributed to the nation’s economic challenges.
