Senegal has officially endorsed former President Macky Sall as its candidate for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, signaling a major shift in policy by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration despite longstanding political differences between the two leaders. The endorsement was announced shortly after Sall met President Faye during his first visit to Dakar since leaving office in 2024, a meeting widely seen as an effort to ease political tensions and strengthen Senegal’s international standing. In a statement, Senegal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said President Faye had instructed the country’s diplomatic missions around the world to actively campaign for Sall’s candidacy, describing the move as one that advances both Senegal’s national interests and Africa’s representation in global leadership.
The decision marks a significant reversal for Faye’s government, which had previously declined to support Sall following the 2024 presidential election. Since taking office, the new administration has accused Sall’s government of political repression, restricting democratic freedoms and concealing key economic data during its final years in office. Those allegations remain strongly disputed and continue to divide Senegal’s political landscape.Sall’s candidacy for the UN’s top job was first put forward earlier this year by Burundi, the current chair of the African Union, in a move aimed at strengthening Africa’s campaign to secure the leadership of the world body.
However, Sall’s return to Senegal has also revived calls from opposition groups and civil society organizations for accountability over the political unrest that marked the final years of his presidency. Dozens of people were killed during protests linked to the prosecution of opposition figures and disputes over the electoral process, making his legacy a subject of continued national debate. If elected, Sall would become one of the few African leaders to head the United Nations, a position responsible for overseeing the organization’s global peace, security, humanitarian and development agenda. His candidacy is expected to feature prominently as international discussions intensify ahead of the selection process for the next UN Secretary-General. Senegal’s endorsement is likely to strengthen Sall’s diplomatic campaign while highlighting the country’s willingness to place continental interests above domestic political rivalries.
