Africanews reports that former Senegalese president Macky Sall has withdrawn from the race for United Nations Secretary-General, a move that has intensified speculation about a return to domestic politics. The former leader’s departure from the international stage has left his political base, the Alliance for the Republic, actively campaigning for his re-entry into the national arena. According to the report, the party’s strategy centers on the completion of the 'Emerging Senegal' development roadmap, which is scheduled to run until 2035.
Saourou Sène, the spokesman for the Alliance for the Republic, stated that the party’s primary objective is for Sall to return and continue the political fight alongside them. Sène emphasized that the current development plan requires the former president’s continued involvement to reach its 2035 targets. This internal push for a comeback contrasts with the broader public sentiment in Senegal, which Africanews describes as divided. While some citizens view Sall as a necessary figure to stabilize the country, others argue that his long tenure has left the nation in a difficult economic and social position.
Public reactions captured by Africanews illustrate this split. Some residents, such as teacher Amadou Fall, believe Sall has set the country on a path toward emergence and that his return is needed to address current hardships. Conversely, others like Theirno Ndiaye from Medina argue that while Sall is needed to provide clarity on issues like hidden debt, he may not be the right person to serve as president again. Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane Sène, a resident of Dakar, suggested that Sall should step aside to allow other politicians to attempt to move the country forward.
Political analyst Abdoulaye Mbow noted that the potential return could reshape the political landscape, particularly in relation to current President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko. Mbow pointed to recent discussions in Doha involving Karim Wade as evidence of a forming political front. This emerging alliance could potentially include the Senegalese Democratic Party, aiming to prepare for the 2029 presidential election. For now, Sall’s supporters maintain that no other figure is capable of reclaiming power for their faction.