The political landscape of Senegal has once again turned its attention to the era under former President Macky Sall, following the public unveiling of a new book by Oumar Demba Bâ, his former diplomatic advisor. Hosted in Dakar, the event drew together political figures, diplomats, and analysts eager to explore the inner workings of the presidency from 2012 to 2024. Among the highlights was a keynote address by Me Aïssata Tall Sall, who served as Senegal’s top diplomat during the final years of Sall’s administration, lending the book added significance.
Unveiling the untold stories of presidential diplomacy
Oumar Demba Bâ spent years in the corridors of power, shaping Senegal’s stance on major regional and global issues. As Macky Sall’s diplomatic advisor, he played a pivotal role in preparing positions for high-level engagements, from ECOWAS summits to Sahel mediation efforts, and multilateral forums in cities like Addis Ababa, New York, and Paris. His book offers a rare glimpse into the decision-making processes that defined twelve years of Senegalese politics through the lens of someone who was at the very heart of the system.
This publication is part of a growing trend where former government officials are documenting their experiences in the aftermath of political transitions. While still a relatively new phenomenon in West Africa, such firsthand accounts provide invaluable institutional memory for diplomats, policymakers, and researchers navigating the legacy of past administrations.
Key insights from Senegal’s former foreign minister
Me Aïssata Tall Sall took the stage to share her perspective on how Macky Sall approached foreign policy. As the last foreign affairs minister of his administration, she highlighted the close working relationship between the president and his diplomatic advisor. In her account, Oumar Demba Bâ served as a crucial yet discreet link between Sall and Senegal’s international partners, orchestrating key diplomatic moves behind the scenes.
Her remarks revisited several critical moments in Senegal’s foreign policy under Sall, including the country’s presidency of the African Union in 2022, regional tensions involving Mali and Burkina Faso, and Senegal’s dealings with Western capitals. Tall Sall praised her former colleague’s methodical approach, describing him as a key architect in shaping Senegal’s global positioning. These reflections elevate the book beyond a personal memoir, offering readers a substantive look at the era’s diplomatic challenges.
Navigating a politically charged transition
The book’s release comes at a sensitive moment for Senegal. Since Bassirou Diomaye Faye assumed office in April 2024, scrutiny has intensified over the previous administration’s handling of public finances and strategic contracts. As a result, every statement from former officials of Macky Sall’s regime is being closely analyzed by both political circles and civil society.
Yet Oumar Demba Bâ’s work is far from an attempt at score-settling. Early readers describe it as an effort to contextualize decisions, with the author defending his former boss’s diplomatic record while acknowledging the constraints and trade-offs that shaped policy choices. This approach mirrors the post-tenure reflections of former presidential advisors in countries like France or Côte d’Ivoire, who publish their accounts to shape historical interpretations of their time in power.
Analysts point to both the book’s content and its broader implications as equally important. It signals that outgoing leaders intend to remain influential in Senegal’s public discourse, including through intellectual contributions. The reception it receives from readers and regional diplomatic circles will reveal much about how Senegal processes the governance of the past decade, especially as debates over the last administration’s legacy remain heated.
