The arrival of former President Macky Sall in Senegal on July 17, 2026, has ignited fierce public backlash and deep resentment among segments of the population.
Families of victims—those who perished or endured imprisonment during the political unrest under his administration—view his return as a deliberate affront to justice. Salimaa Thiam, whose son Ousmane Dia died in the 2021 political crackdown, expressed raw grief in an interview: “The announcement of his visit reopened wounds I had barely begun to heal. My son was killed in those political events. His presence here is a second tragedy.”
Her outrage reflects a broader sentiment: “We reject Macky Sall’s return. He is responsible for our suffering. If he had done nothing wrong, he would be welcome like any other citizen. But not him. Not now.”
Mabinta Bibi Djiba, a former detainee imprisoned twice—in 2021 and 2024—under house arrest, shares a similar stance. She argues that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye should prioritize accountability over reconciliation. “He speaks of reconciliation, but justice must come first. We cannot reconcile without truth and accountability.”
A political betrayal?
Guy Marius Sagna, a Member of Parliament from the Pastef party, condemns what he calls a betrayal by the current administration. He warns that welcoming Macky Sall—especially as he seeks a senior UN role—undermines the promise of justice. “The president vowed never to disappoint us. Yet here we are: welcoming our oppressor, the architect of torture, political assassinations, and unlawful detentions between 2021 and 2024.”
Professor Adama Sadio, a political scientist at the University of Dakar, highlights the polarizing nature of this controversy. “The victims are often labeled as opposition supporters, making their claims a political football. Any move perceived as undermining the government will be exploited.”
The victims’ collective has condemned the visit, authorized by the Presidential Palace, as an insult to all those who suffered during the 2021 and 2024 repression.
