By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A group condemning the repression under former President Macky Sall’s rule in Senegal on Thursday on Thursday frowned at his planned visit to Senegalese Head of State, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, as part of his campaign to lead the UN
Sall, who is accused by the current government of violent political repression and covering up unfavourable economic data, was nominated in March by Burundi for the Secretary-General post.
He is accused of having squashed political demonstrations that resulted in dozens of deaths during his last years in office.
Senegal’s current government additionally accuses the ex-leader, who was President from 2012 to 2024, of having concealed the true extent of the country’s substantial debt.
Sall, who lives in Morocco, announced Tuesday that he would travel to Dakar on Friday for a meeting with his successor, Faye, who has not yet expressed support for his bid.
The visit would mark the first time that Sall has returned to the country since leaving office in April 2024, when Faye took over.
Burundi, which holds the rotating African Union presidency, nominated Sall rather than his own country, which would have been customary.
“We demand that the truth be revealed and responsibility established” regarding events from Sall’s presidency, Boubacar Seye, a member of the group, which brings together different organisations against Sall, said at a press conference in Dakar.
Guy Marius Sagna, a deputy from the current parliamentary majority, PASTEF party said that “welcoming Macky Sall is an insult to the victims’ families and to the political prisoners” held during his time in office.
Thousands of Sall supporters have been invited to welcome him by his party, the APR, which he still leads.
Sall said he would leave Dakar “immediately” after his meeting with Faye.
