Senegal’s Faye-Sall talks: Beyond UN candidacy?

Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye rode to office on a wave of enthusiasm among young people who believed in his promise of radical change and a clean break from the past.

Instead, the former anti-establishment figure has closed ranks with his predecessor Macky Sall, hosting him last week at the presidential palace for talks, which analysts say signal that a new political realignment is taking shape in Senegal. 

It was their first meeting since Sall left office in 2024 and came as Sall seeks to become UN Secretary-General. The Foreign Ministry said Faye had decided that Senegal would “lend its full support” to Sall’s candidacy, which it described as “Africa’s candidacy” and a push for “a more effective multilateralism.” 

The government previously declined to back Sall, who was president from 2012 to 2024, accusing him of violent political repression that led to dozens of deaths during his last years in office, and of covering up unfavourable economic data. 

Meeting criticised

“The public is surprised by this about-face from the President, who had previously stated he was not involved, given that he had not been consulted regarding support for the bid. Furthermore, he is mobilising his diplomatic network to support Macky Sall’s bid,” Moussa Diaw, a Senegalese political science and international relations, tells TRT Afrika. 

“The meeting between the two men has drawn criticism from civil society and the families of victims of the events of 2021 and 2024; they are demanding justice to establish accountability for the abuses committed during the protests,” Diaw adds. 

Sall one of five candidates seeking to replace António Guterres in January 2027, thanked President Faye for the support, which he described as “an honour.” He said his talks with Faye at the presidential palace were “cordial and constructive.” 

For his part, Faye is navigating a shifting political landscape at home following months of internal conflict and tension between President Faye and his former prime minister and ally Ousmane Sonko. 

Faye-Sonko fallout

Sonko is now the speaker of parliament after the president dismissed him in May from his role as prime minister. Sonko has also withdrawn the ruling Pastef party from government, leaving President Faye without a party platform. 

Faye and Sonko were opposition allies when Sall was president, and they successfully defeated the then-ruling party in the 2024 general elections just weeks after being released from jail. 

Faye’s victory was credited to strong support from Sonko, who was barred from running due to a court conviction. 

However, the two young politicians fell out barely a year into their administration over governance, amid speculation that Sonko harbours presidential ambitions ahead of the next elections in 2029. 

Observers say the sudden political rapprochement between President Faye and Macky Sall could fit into the local political landscape. 

‘Political impact’

"The meeting (between President Faye and Sall) will have a significant political impact as it took place at a time of unprecedented political tension and rivalry between the president and Sonko. The president is seeking to consolidate his political base by establishing alliances with other political forces,” Diaw argues. 

“It is quite possible that the former president's party could be courted as part of this broad outreach, much like Karim’s party, the PDS (led by former President Abdoulaye Wade). All this suggests that the shifting political landscape is creating opportunities for maneuvering that could benefit Sall’s party,” he adds. 

Some say while President Faye supports Sall for the UN’s top job, the new rapport could help the president weaken Ousmane Sonko’s influence. 

Others say the situation could remain challenging for Faye as Sonko maintains his grip on parliament and remains politically popular. 

“Sonko is well aware of the stakes, prompting him to launch a membership drive for his party, Pastef, as it gears up for upcoming elections,” according to Diaw.