Senegal’s Unexpected Shift in Support for Sall’s UN Bid Lagos, Nigeria – In a surprising turn of events, Senegal has reversed its position and announced its support for former President Macky Sall’s bid to become the next UN Secretary-General. This decision, made following Sall’s recent visit to Dakar, marks a significant shift in the country’s stance and has sparked both support and criticism.
The visit, which took place on July 17, 2026, was Sall’s first return to Senegal since leaving office in April 2024.
His trip was closely tied to his campaign for the UN’s top post, and it was met with a warm reception from over 1,000 supporters who gathered at the Leopold Senghor Military Airport in Dakar to welcome him.
However, not everyone was pleased with Sall’s visit. Alioune Ibnou Abitalib Sow, one of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s political advisors, resigned in protest, accusing Sall of being responsible for the country’s troubles.
The resignation highlighted the deep political divisions within Senegal and the controversy surrounding Sall’s presidency. During his time in office from 2012 to 2024, Sall’s presidency was marked by both economic growth and allegations of political repression. His successor, President Faye, who came to power in 2024, has been vocal in his criticism of Sall’s administration, accusing it of financial mismanagement and political repression.
Despite these tensions, the Senegalese government announced on Monday that it would back Sall’s candidacy, a move that has been interpreted as a significant political gesture by President Faye.
The endorsement comes despite the government’s previous reluctance to support Sall, who is accused of violent political repression and covering up unfavourable economic data during his presidency. Supporters of Sall welcomed his visit to Dakar, with many viewing it as a positive step in his bid for the UN’s top job.
However, critics, including some within his own party, accused him of violent political repression and covering up economic data during his presidency.
The Senegalese government’s U-turn in support for Sall has raised questions about the country’s political landscape and the future of its relations with the international community.
As Sall’s bid for the UN presidency continues, What happens next in this unfolding story is uncertain, but one thing is clear: Senegal’s decision to back Sall’s UN bid has added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing debate about his legacy and the future of the country’s political landscape.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: france24 – Africa
Source: Clarisse FORTUNÉ
