Senegalese politician and former prime minister, leader of Pastef
Senegal has endorsed former president Macky Sall’s candidacy for United Nations secretary-general, marking a strategic reorientation ahead of the selection process. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has instructed his government to mobilise support, signalling a new coalition-building phase for Dakar. Critics say the move risks justice for victims of past protests.
The Kiiraay-The Republican Patriots party has been formed, formalising the break between Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Ousmane Sonko. The move follows months of tensions over governance and debt, with Faye stressing ethics and transparency as he seeks to build a nationwide structure ahead of 2029 elections.
Human Rights Watch reports a March 2026 amendment to Senegal’s penal code has intensified arrests and stigma against LGBTQ+ individuals. At least 212 people were arrested February–July 2026, with 82 charged for voluntary HIV transmission; activists warn the crackdown deters testing and treatment, threatening HIV responses amid broader penalties.