Senegal’s political tensions flare over diomaye faye and macky sall meeting

The announcement of a meeting between Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and his predecessor Macky Sall has ignited fierce debate across the country. Scheduled ahead of Sall’s anticipated visit to Dakar to seek Senegal’s backing for his candidacy for United Nations Secretary-General, the encounter has drawn sharp criticism from multiple quarters.

wounds of repression resurface

Families of victims from the 2021–2024 protest crackdowns are among the most vocal critics. Seydi Gassama, who represents 67 families in their legal quests for justice, views the planned meeting as a betrayal of their suffering. “Macky Sall’s return to Senegal as a private citizen isn’t the issue,” he states. “What offends us is that President Diomaye Faye, despite his promises, has yet to deliver justice to those whose rights were violated under Sall’s administration. Welcoming him now—especially to endorse his UN bid—sends a message that impunity remains unchallenged.”

broken campaign pledges

During his 2024 campaign, Diomaye Faye vowed to prioritize accountability for victims of political repression. Yet with more than two years in office, no trials have begun, and compensation efforts remain minimal—leaving many families disillusioned. Human rights groups echo these frustrations, arguing that Sall’s legacy disqualifies him from global leadership.

political analysts weigh in

Backers of Macky Sall’s former party, the Alliance for the Republic (APR), dismiss the criticism as overblown. Political analyst Assane Samb suggests the meeting could reshape Senegal’s political landscape, particularly as Diomaye Faye distances himself from his original party, Pastef, to form a new political movement. “This gathering may signal an emerging alliance between Diomaye’s new party and traditional opposition forces,” Samb notes, “potentially uniting against the still-influential Pastef.”

silence from key players

Neither the presidency nor Pastef, led by Ousmane Sonko, has publicly addressed Sall’s planned return—his first since leaving office in April 2024. Sall’s UN candidacy, uniquely sponsored by Burundi (current African Union chair), faced rejection from over 20 AU member states, including Senegal, in late March.