Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has announced his support for former president Macky Sall's bid to become the next United Nations Secretary-General, marking a striking political turnaround after months of tension between the two men. The endorsement follows a meeting between them at the presidential palace in Dakar, Senegal's capital, which appears to have opened the door to an unexpected reconciliation.
The decision reverses Senegal's earlier reluctance to back Sall's candidacy and carries significant weight on the continental stage. More than 40 African countries had already signalled support for the bid, and analysts believe Faye's formal endorsement could help consolidate unanimous African backing — a critical factor in any campaign for the UN's top position. As one commentator put it, when a country fails to support one of its own, it becomes difficult for international partners to do so either. Senegal's green light is therefore seen as removing a major diplomatic obstacle.
Yet the move is also being read through the lens of Senegal's volatile domestic politics. Faye rose to the presidency in March 2024 on a wave of support tied to Ousmane Sonko and his Pastef party — a party that remains firmly opposed to endorsing Sall, holding him responsible for violence during political protests in 2021 and 2023 that left nearly 80 people dead. Since then, Faye and Sonko appear to have grown apart politically, with Faye building his own coalition, Diomaye Président, in preparation for future political contests.
Political analysts suggest that Faye's backing for Sall is partly driven by electoral strategy. With Pastef controlling the National Assembly and remaining a powerful force in the country, Faye is seen as cultivating alliances with Sall's former party, the APR, and other opposition figures — including a reportedly unexpected meeting with Karim Wade during a recent trip to Qatar. Supporting Sall's UN ambitions, in this reading, is also a way of building political capital ahead of an inevitable confrontation with Sonko.
The episode illustrates how international diplomacy and domestic rivalry can become deeply intertwined. Whether Faye's endorsement translates into broader momentum for Sall's UN candidacy — and at what political cost at home — will be closely watched in the months ahead.