Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – Former Senegalese President Macky Sall is reportedly stepping up his campaign to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, with new diplomatic efforts involving former Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and consultations at the highest level in Senegal and The Gambia.
The latest claims were made by exiled Senegalese journalist Madiambal Diagne, who said the Senegalese government’s position on officially supporting Sall’s candidacy may be shifting.
According to Diagne, Presidents Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Adama Barrow received Embaló on Tuesday, July 7th, in their respective palaces, to discuss the issue. Diagne further claimed that Sall is expected to travel to both Dakar and Banjul in the coming days as part of efforts linked to his campaign for the top UN post.
Diplomatic Campaign Gains Momentum
The reported developments come after Sall resumed international lobbying in Asia last week alongside Embaló, who has emerged as one of the strongest advocates for the former Senegalese leader’s candidacy.
Their political alliance dates back several years. During Embaló’s rise to power in Guinea-Bissau, Sall was widely regarded as one of his key regional supporters. Since leaving office, Embaló has reciprocated by actively promoting Sall’s diplomatic ambitions, accompanying him on foreign visits and lobbying international decision-makers in support of his bid.
Although Sall’s candidacy has reportedly received backing from the African Union, the current Senegalese administration has so far maintained a cautious distance from officially endorsing his campaign, according to the information shared by Diagne.
Embaló’s Role Draws Mixed Reactions
The prominent role played by Embaló has reportedly generated unease in some diplomatic circles.
According to the information circulating around Sall’s campaign, Embaló’s support is viewed by some officials in the United States and the European Union as politically sensitive because he was removed from power in a military coup in December 2025 and now resides in Morocco.
Despite those concerns, Embaló is said to have continued lobbying actively for Sall’s candidacy across several international capitals.
Neither the Senegalese presidency nor the Gambian presidency has publicly commented on Diagne’s claims or confirmed whether discussions on Senegal’s official backing for Sall’s candidacy took place during Embaló’s reported meetings with Presidents Faye and Barrow.
The process to select the next United Nations Secretary-General is expected to gather pace in the coming months as member states begin consultations ahead of the end of the current Secretary-General’s mandate.
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