Ousmane Sonko's remarks on Donald Trump unexpectedly aid Macky Sall's UN candidacy
via SeneNews2 min read
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko's recent statements regarding former US President Donald Trump are generating unexpected reactions within diplomatic circles concerning Macky Sall's candidacy for United Nations Secretary-General. During a debate with Pascal Boniface, Sonko described Trump as "not a man of peace," referencing controversial actions attributed to the United States internationally. This stance has been interpreted by some of Macky Sall's supporters as beneficial to his bid. According to reports, those close to Macky Sall believe that the current Senegalese government's refusal to support him could be seen favorably by Americans, suggesting he is not aligned with their perceived adversaries. However, Macky Sall's associates remain cautious about Washington's stance, citing Donald Trump's unpredictable nature and fluctuating opinions, which makes anticipating the US vote in the Security Council difficult. Despite these uncertainties, the former president's campaign expresses optimism as crucial deadlines approach. Ahead of his hearing before UN Security Council members in New York, the campaign's momentum is considered positive. Macky Sall has reportedly held individual, cordial meetings with representatives from member countries. His supporters also note the absence of direct criticism regarding his record as President of Senegal during these diplomatic encounters, contrasting with the strong debate and contestation surrounding his candidacy within Senegal's national
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Journalist Pape Alé Niang has responded to former President Macky Sall's comments regarding political violence between 2021 and 2024. Niang stated on social media platform X that Sall's remarks constitute a direct attack in the public debate. Macky Sall had said, "People know what happened. They wanted, taking advantage of a particular situation, to use violence to come to power. Which I could not accept as President of the Republic. The amnesty law made it possible to erase what happened and to free all those who were in prison so that they could participate in the elections." Pape Alé Niang views this reaction as a frontal attack, noting that victims of the violence continue to demand justice and clarification of the facts. He believes the amnesty law is now central to the search for truth. Niang added, "Victims demand justice. If it is this amnesty law that prevents the manifestation of truth, logically it must be repealed for the manifestation of truth." The journalist also called on parliamentary institutions to address the issue, concluding that the debate on amnesty must now be settled at an institutional level.
Must ReadThe Senegalese Football Federation FSF is experiencing internal dissent regarding the distribution of bonuses related to the recent Africa Cup of Nations. The controversy centers on amounts deemed inequitable and allocated without clear validation from the Executive Committee. According to reports, 13 million FCFA per beneficiary was distributed to certain officials who accompanied the national team. This sum is presented as the accumulation of several performance bonuses: 2 million FCFA per victory and 1 million FCFA for a draw, specifically against the DRC. Beneficiaries cited in this distribution include members of the federal leadership and internal commissions, such as vice-presidents and heads of structures, who reportedly received these amounts without prior formal validation from the Executive Committee. Additionally, a separate sum of 50 million FCFA was granted to five FSF officials who were part of the official delegation. This exceptional bonus resulted from a decision by a higher authority, separate from the federation's internal mechanisms. The coexistence of these two levels of remuneration is fueling the tension. Some officials received both performance bonuses and an exceptional global bonus, while other Executive Committee members claim to have received nothing. This situation has led to the formation of a protest group within the Executive Committee, which denounces a distribution considered unbalanced and lacking transparency. Criticisms primarily focus on
Must ReadPape Abdoulaye Touré has challenged former President Macky Sall's statements made during his bid for the UN Secretary-General position in New York. Touré refutes Sall's assertion that "terrorists" attempted to seize power violently, stating that the tensions originated from political distrust and the sidelining of figures like Karim Wade and Khalifa Sall, followed by accusations against Ousmane Sonko. He also highlights a perceived imbalance in justice, where ministers and general directors were implicated in embezzlement by control bodies without judicial follow-up, while citizens, activists, and opponents faced arbitrary arrests and detention. Touré, who was himself detained multiple times without valid reason, argues that these injustices led to the 2021-2024 protests, which he characterizes as reactions to injustice and poor governance, not attempts to seize power. Regarding the amnesty law, Touré states it was not a consensual popular demand, but rather met with strong opposition, including from the Pastef party, whose deputies did not vote for it. He claims the law was a unilateral decision by Sall's regime to ensure impunity for crimes such as murder, assassination, extrajudicial disappearance, inhumane treatment, and torture. Touré also asserts that Sall's suggestion for new authorities to abrogate the amnesty law for justice is manipulative, citing the principle of non-retroactivity of harsher penal laws. He emphasizes that crimes against humanity and torture cannot
Must ReadNigerian prosecutors have charged six individuals, including a retired major general, with an attempted coup that authorities thwarted in 2025. Documents filed with the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday indicate that the six are accused of conspiring "among themselves to declare war on the state to intimidate the president of the Federal Republic."