Senegal politics: Macky Sall meets Bassirou Faye ahead of un bid

The former President of Senegal, Macky Sall, will pay an official visit to Dakar on Friday, July 17, 2026, where he is scheduled to meet with the current head of state, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. This meeting follows an announcement made by Sall on social media, outlining his travel plans as part of his ongoing consultations for the United Nations Secretary-General position.

In a message posted online, Macky Sall expressed his appreciation for the invitation extended by President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye. He also conveyed gratitude to the people of Senegal for their continuous support during his UN candidacy process, stating, “I am deeply grateful to the Senegalese for their unwavering encouragement since the announcement of my bid.”

The upcoming visit has sparked discussions across political circles, particularly within the most vocal factions of the opposition movement PASTEF. Some critics argue that welcoming Macky Sall could be interpreted as an endorsement of the pre-election unrest and allegations of financial mismanagement that marred his final years in office. Others view the meeting as a pragmatic step in fostering national dialogue.

Key context: While Macky Sall’s candidacy for the UN Secretary-General role has gained international traction, it is noteworthy that his bid was not officially endorsed by the Senegalese government. Instead, support was extended by Burundi. Sall, who served as Senegal’s president from 2012 to 2024, has since relocated to Marrakech, where he has actively engaged with global leaders to strengthen his campaign for the UN leadership position.