Senegal's Faye backs ex-president Sall's bid for UN top job

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has officially endorsed former President Macky Sall's bid to become the next United Nations secretary-general, according to a foreign ministry statement on Monday. This crucial backing from Sall's home country comes despite significant political divisions and criticisms leveled against Sall's administration by Faye's government.

Faye reached his decision after a meeting with Sall on Friday. Sall, who served as Senegal's president from 2012 to 2024, is among five candidates vying to succeed current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term concludes on December 31. Faye has instructed his government to "fully mobilize" support for Sall, stating that his candidacy is now "Senegal's candidacy in the service of Africa."

The endorsement is a notable political move, given that Faye's administration has frequently criticized Sall's record, particularly his attempt to postpone the 2024 presidential election, which led to deadly protests. Faye won the subsequent election and succeeded Sall in April 2024. Despite the strained relations, with Faye's government accusing Sall's administration of financial mismanagement and political repression—allegations Sall denies—the current president has now lent his support.

Burundi, holding the African Union's rotating presidency, had previously nominated Sall for the UN role. Senegal had, until Monday, refrained from publicly endorsing his candidacy.