Gambiaj.com – (DAKAR, Senegal) – Former Senegalese President Macky Sall returned to his home country on Friday for the first time since leaving office more than two years ago, receiving a warm welcome from supporters as he arrived for a brief visit linked to his campaign for the post of United Nations Secretary-General.
The aircraft carrying Sall landed at Dakar’s Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport at 3:09 p.m. local time. His return marks his first visit to Senegal since stepping down in April 2024 after completing his presidency.
Jubilant Reception at the Airport
At the military section of Yoff Airport, hundreds of supporters and activists gathered to greet the former president. They cheered his arrival in a festive atmosphere, reflecting the enduring loyalty he continues to command within his political base.
The visit comes against the backdrop of a politically significant chapter in Senegal’s recent history. Sall’s final months in office were marked by widespread political tensions, including the suppression of anti-government protests and a controversial attempt to postpone the 2024 presidential election, developments that drew both domestic and international criticism.
Meeting with President Diomaye Faye
Sall’s return has been welcomed by members of his political party, the Alliance for the Republic (APR)
During his short stay, Sall held talks with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye as part of efforts to secure Senegal’s backing for his candidacy to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations.
According to the announced program, the former president is leaving Senegal shortly after his meeting and fly to The Gambia.
Sall’s return has been welcomed by members of his political party, the Alliance for the Republic (APR), who described the visit as encouraging for both the party and the country.
The APR has urged Senegalese citizens and political leaders to rally behind Sall’s bid for the UN’s top job, calling for national unity that rises above partisan divisions in support of what it describes as a candidacy of national importance.
Although brief, the visit carries symbolic significance, marking Macky Sall’s first appearance on Senegalese soil since the end of his presidency while highlighting his transition from national politics to seeking one of the world’s highest diplomatic positions.
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