Dakar has reversed its stance and now fully supports the United Nations candidacy of former president Macky Sall, just three days after a closed-door meeting with his successor, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
Until this week, Senegal had not endorsed Mr. Sall’s bid for the UN secretary-general position. His application was submitted not by Dakar but by Burundi, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the African Union.
Official sources confirmed the policy shift in a statement released on Monday, July 20, highlighting the significance of the former leader’s diplomatic ambitions for African representation on the global stage.
From opposition to endorsement in 72 hours
Just months ago, in late March, a coalition of over twenty African Union member states—including Senegal—publicly rejected Mr. Sall’s candidacy to succeed António Guterres at the UN. At the time, the government cited concerns over accountability for violent crackdowns on opposition protests between 2021 and 2024, which left dozens dead.
However, following an unannounced visit by Mr. Sall to Dakar last Friday, President Faye reversed course. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Senegal would now “fully support” his nomination, framing it as a contribution to African leadership and stronger multilateralism.
Full diplomatic mobilization underway
The government has instructed all Senegalese diplomatic missions to actively promote Mr. Sall’s candidacy among UN member states. The statement described the bid as “a Senegalese contribution to Africa’s vision and a more effective multilateral system.”
The about-face comes shortly after Mr. Sall’s return to Dakar in late July, where he was greeted by thousands of supporters. His visit sparked controversy, with critics demanding investigations into alleged extrajudicial killings and the alleged concealment of a significant portion of the country’s national debt.
Despite the political friction, Dakar’s endorsement signals a strategic realignment—one that places Mr. Sall’s international profile at the center of Senegal’s foreign policy agenda.
