Senegal president bassirou diomaye faye to meet macky sall july 17

Following his departure from office in March 2024, former Senegalese President Macky Sall is set to return to Dakar on July 17 for a high-profile meeting with current Head of State Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Sall announced his candidacy for the position of United Nations Secretary-General in a statement, emphasizing the purpose of his visit as part of ongoing consultations. In his message, he expressed gratitude to President Faye for the scheduled audience and extended appreciation to the Senegalese people for their continued support since his candidacy was announced.

Political tensions mount ahead of meeting

The upcoming encounter has already sparked debate and criticism within Senegal’s political landscape, particularly among members of the Pastef party led by Ousmane Sonko. Some activists argue that welcoming Macky Sall may legitimize concerns over pre-election violence and governance issues, including mismanagement of the nation’s economic and financial resources. Notably, Sall’s UN candidacy was not officially endorsed by Senegal but by Burundi.

A distinguished political career

Macky Sall’s political journey spans decades, marked by key leadership roles. He served as President of Senegal from 2012 to 2024, succeeding his political mentor Abdoulaye Wade. Prior to that, he held the position of President of the National Assembly and served as Prime Minister in 2004, taking over from Idrissa Seck.

His earlier contributions include serving as Minister of Mines, Energy, and Hydraulics from May 2001 to November 2002, followed by a stint as Minister of State in the same portfolio until August 2003. From August 2003 to April 2004, he led the Ministry of Interior and Local Communities while also serving as government spokesperson. He previously held the role of Director-General at PETROSEN.

International engagements post-presidency

Since relocating to Marrakech, Sall has remained highly active on the global stage, participating in international summits and high-level meetings. His recent activities reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties and contribute to global discussions.