Senegal's former president Macky Sall returned to Dakar on Friday, July 17, 2026, for a brief meeting with his successor. This marked Sall's first visit back to the West African country since leaving office in April 2024. Sall, who is currently campaigning to become the next UN secretary-general, was welcomed by over 1,000 supporters at a military airport, where he greeted the crowd from atop a vehicle. Supporters also gathered near the presidential palace, cheering and honking from motorbikes.

Sall's political party, the APR, which he still leads, organized the welcoming event. However, the visit was met with criticism from his detractors. The current Senegalese government accuses Sall of violent political repression during his final years in office, which allegedly led to dozens of deaths, as well as covering up unfavorable economic data.

A collective denouncing the crackdown under Sall described the visit as an "incident" and demanded answers regarding the deaths that occurred during his tenure. One of Senegal President One of Faye's political advisors, Alioune Ibnou Abitalib Sow, resigned on Friday in protest of Sall's visit.

Sall, who has been living in Morocco since leaving Senegal, announced on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, that he would travel to Dakar for this visit. He stated he would leave Dakar after the meeting.

The visit has highlighted ongoing tensions in Senegal, with critics stating, "He is responsible for a large part of the troubles the country is facing today," and emphasizing that "Senegalese people have died, and families are still waiting for the truth."

Sources