27 March 2026 – Dakar.
The Senegalese government has publicly distanced itself from the African Union’s support for former president Macky Sall’s candidacy for the position of UN Secretary-General. Despite the AU’s call for African solidarity, the Permanent Mission of Senegal to the AU informed the commission that the government never endorsed Sall’s bid and was not involved in the draft decision that supported him.
Foreign Minister Aimé Sarr revealed that he was not consulted on the matter, highlighting a significant disconnect between Dakar and the AU. Sall, who served as president from 2012 to 2024, has faced political tensions since leaving office, including accusations of repressing violent demonstrations and concealing the true extent of the country’s debt.
27 March 2026 – Dakar.
The controversy surrounds Sall’s handling of national debt and the violent political demonstrations that occurred during his tenure, resulting in dozens of deaths. An IMF team confirmed false statements regarding budget deficits and public debt for the period of 2019–2023. His candidacy had positioned him as Africa’s presumptive candidate to replace António Guterres, but with Senegal’s formal rejection, the field is now open for other candidates like Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Grossi, and Rebeca Grynspan.
27 March 2026 – New York.
The UN Security Council is set to recommend a candidate to the General Assembly, which will vote from 20 April, with Guterres’term ending in December 2026. Senegal’s current government has indicated it will undergo internal consultations before deciding whether to propose an alternative candidate. The AU has yet to revise its communiqué, and diplomats suggest an emergency session may be possible next week.
Source: Africanews
