Africa: Senegal's President Faye - Macky Sall Best Candidate 'To Fight for Africa' At UN

What the report says

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye used an interview with RFI and France 24, published by AllAfrica, to back his predecessor Macky Sall as Senegal’s preferred candidate for the next UN secretary-general. Speaking during the UN General Assembly in New York, Faye argued that Sall is well placed to press for a stronger African role at the United Nations and to advocate for reform of the global financial system. He rejected the view that Sall has no realistic path to the post, saying the outcome will depend on how Security Council members vote.

The comments are notable because Sall is a political rival and former president of Senegal, and the endorsement comes as the UN looks ahead to the end of António Guterres’s term on 31 December. Faye also discussed Senegal’s own economic pressure, defending a $2.2 billion IMF programme approved in September as the country deals with hidden debt concerns and a heavier fiscal burden than previously understood.

In the same interview, Faye urged members of his former Pastef party to support an amended budget, saying his government’s priorities are aimed at protecting lower-income households. He also addressed security concerns before the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar and regional tensions involving Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, which have left Ecowas and formed the Alliance of Sahel States. The remarks underscore Faye’s effort to balance domestic reforms, regional diplomacy and Senegal’s bid for greater influence in international affairs.