As he officially seeks the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations, former Senegalese President Macky Sall is seeing his legacy scrutinized. Between a meteoric political rise, an end to his reign marked by unprecedented social tensions, and a record public debt, the question of his legitimacy to lead the international organization is deeply divisive.

Macky Sall's rise to the highest office in the land is, in many respects, unique. Before assuming the presidency in 2012, he held some of the most prestigious positions: Director General of Petrosen, Minister of the Interior, Prime Minister, and President of the National Assembly. This comprehensive career path has given him the stature of a seasoned statesman, adept at both technical and political matters.

From hope for recovery to authoritarian drift

Upon taking office, Macky Sall brought with him hopes of a break with the past. His initial initiatives aimed at correcting social injustices and establishing lean governance were welcomed by a population yearning for renewal. However, the turning point of 2016 marked a breach of this trust.

The reneging on his campaign promise to reduce his first term from seven to five years will be the first act in a series of controversial decisions. From then on, the government seems to be embarking on a strategy of neutralizing political opponents. The alleged manipulation of the justice system has eliminated major figures, such as Khalifa Ababacar Sall and Karim Meïssa Wade, from the 2019 presidential election, allowing Macky Sall to be re-elected in the first round. A victory without jubilation, overshadowed by the emergence of a new political reality: the meteoric rise of Ousmane Sonko, who came in third with more than 15% of the vote.

A second term marked by confrontation

Macky Sall's second term is turning into a constant power struggle. On the economic front, while the Covid-19 pandemic is slowing growth, it is primarily the brutal confrontation with Ousmane Sonko and the Pastef party that is fueling tensions. The repression of demonstrations by the defense and security forces has resulted in a tragic toll: dozens of deaths across the country and thousands of arrests.

This period was also marked by an unprecedented attempt to postpone the presidential election until 2024, a maneuver perceived as a desire to cling to power. It took the combined pressure of the Constitutional Council and the international community to ensure the electoral process continued, thus sealing the end of his era.

The burden of the "hidden debt"

For economic observers, the financial situation is equally worrying. Macky Sall leaves behind a heavily indebted country. Post-term revelations indicate a public debt representing more than 119% of GDP, a figure well above community standards. This massive "hidden debt" now limits the new regime's room for maneuver and raises questions about the accuracy of the statistics produced during his presidency.

Macky Sall and the UN: The diplomatic paradox

It is with this mixed domestic record that Macky Sall is now seeking the support of nations to lead the UN. While his international stature is undeniable, his governance style raises fundamental ethical questions. How can he embody the UN Charter, focused on human rights and democracy, after having been at the heart of a bloody repression in his own country? In terms of financial credibility, can the management of the global economy be entrusted to a leader whose budgetary management has resulted in a hidden debt crisis?

This already bleak picture has worsened on the diplomatic front: the African Union recently decided not to support Macky Sall's candidacy, a stinging rebuke that deprives the former president of the continental foundation essential for aspiring to such a global position. By botching his exit from the national stage with what has been deemed a "catastrophic" administration, he enters the international arena with a major handicap. His candidacy for the UN appears to many not as the natural culmination of a career, but as a diplomatic maneuver to mask a heavy national legacy.