Senegal: Faye Endorses Sall for UN Secretary-General

• Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye endorsed his predecessor Macky Sall for UN Secretary-General, citing Sall's unique ability to advocate for Africa and reform the international financial system.
• Faye defended Senegal's $2.2 billion (€1.9 billion) IMF aid program, agreed in September, amidst revelations of hidden debt and a growing financial burden.
• The President urged his former party, Pastef, to support an upcoming amended budget, detailing plans to double family support payments to 140 billion CFA francs by 2027 and increase beneficiaries to 1 million.
• Faye clarified that the dismissal of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko was due to persistent disagreements and a breakdown of trust, not related to the IMF visit.
• The interview also covered security for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar and relations between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States formed by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

President Faye underscored the critical need for a candidate with Sall's specific profile, highlighting his capacity to advocate for a more prominent role for Africa and to push for comprehensive reforms within the international financial system.

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye recently voiced strong support for his predecessor, Macky Sall, to assume the role of the next United Nations Secretary-General. Speaking to RFI and France 24 on a Thursday, during the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, President Faye asserted that no individual is better equipped to champion Africa's interests on the global stage. He dismissed widespread skepticism regarding Sall's prospects of succeeding António Guterres, whose current term concludes on December 31, maintaining that Sall's chances are more substantial than commonly perceived, despite reports indicating that Sall's candidacy had been weakened following an initial vote.

President Faye underscored the critical need for a candidate with Sall's specific profile, highlighting his capacity to advocate for a more prominent role for Africa and to push for comprehensive reforms within the international financial system. Faye pointed to Sall's direct experience with the heavy burden of national debt, a challenge that constrained his ambitions for Senegal and is shared by numerous developing nations across the Global South, as a key qualification for the role. This endorsement signals a notable alignment between the current and former leaders on a significant international appointment.

Amidst these international discussions, President Faye also addressed Senegal's domestic economic challenges, specifically defending a $2.2 billion (€1.9 billion) aid program secured with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in September. This financial assistance comes as Senegal grapples with the fallout from revelations of previously undisclosed debt and a significantly larger financial burden than it faced just a few years prior. The President urged members of his former political party, Pastef, to demonstrate "patriotic behaviour" when an amended national budget is presented to Members of Parliament for approval.

Faye refuted claims of austerity measures, emphasizing the government's commitment to protecting the purchasing power of its most vulnerable citizens. He detailed plans to double family support payments from 35 billion CFA francs (€53 million) initially projected for 2026 to 70 billion CFA francs, with a further doubling to 140 billion CFA francs planned for 2027. Concurrently, the number of beneficiaries is set to increase from approximately 500,000 to 1 million. As further evidence against austerity, Faye cited ongoing recruitment efforts, including 2,000 new teachers and over 2,000 healthcare workers.

The President's call for unity on the budget comes against a backdrop of internal political friction, particularly within Pastef, which commands a substantial majority in the National Assembly. Some Pastef members have reportedly accused President Faye of betrayal and of capitulating to the IMF's demands. In response, Faye asserted that his only potential betrayal would be of the oath he took on April 2, 2024, before the Senegalese people and God, framing support for the government's efforts as the only truly patriotic stance for elected representatives.

Faye also clarified the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, which occurred shortly after a visit by the International Monetary Fund. He explicitly denied that the IMF's involvement was the catalyst for the split, attributing the decision to persistent disagreements and an irreconcilable breakdown in trust between them. Following this, he appointed a new prime minister, affirming that the Republic of Senegal continues to function effectively and is moving forward. While the constitution permits the dissolution of the National Assembly from December 2, President Faye indicated that this option is not currently a primary focus.

Beyond economic and political matters, President Faye's extensive interview also touched upon broader regional and security issues. Discussions included the security preparations for the upcoming Youth Olympic Games scheduled to be held in Dakar. Furthermore, the interview delved into the complex relations between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the three nations of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which have formally withdrawn from the bloc and subsequently established the Alliance of Sahel States.

While primarily political, the discussion of Senegal's IMF aid program and upcoming amended budget could signal shifts in fiscal policy or economic stability. Lawyers advising clients with business interests or investments in Senegal should monitor these developments for potential indirect impacts on financial stability, contractual terms, or future compliance requirements.

Source: Original reporting via RFI and France 24.