Macky Sall

Macky Sall: A Comprehensive Life Background

Authored by Beyonddennis

Macky Sall, born on December 11, 1961, in Fatick, Senegal, is a prominent Senegalese geologist and politician who served as the fourth President of Senegal from 2012 to 2024. His journey to the highest office in the nation is a testament to a long and evolving career in public service, marked by significant ministerial roles, a period of opposition, and ultimately, a presidential victory that reshaped Senegalese politics.

Early Life and Education

Sall was raised in a family of modest means in his hometown of Fatick in western Senegal. His father was a state worker and later a caretaker, while his mother sold peanuts. He was one of five children and spent parts of his childhood in various locations across Senegal, including Fatick and Mboro. While his father was a member of the Socialist Party of Senegal, Sall developed an interest in different political ideologies during his high school years in Kaolack, where he associated with Maoists.

Macky Sall pursued higher education in geology, training as a geological engineer and geophysicist. He obtained a Master's degree in geology from Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar in 1988. He furthered his studies at the French Institute of Petroleum (IFP) outside Paris, specifically at its National College of Petrol and Engines (ENSPM). He is recognized as a member of several national and international geological associations. In 1992, he met Marieme Faye Sall, who was then a high school student, and they married in 1995. They have three children together: Ndeye Driss, Amadu, and Ibrahima. Marieme Faye Sall served as the First Lady of Senegal from 2012 to 2024 and was notable as the first First Lady of Senegal to be fully Senegalese by birth and family background.

Early Political Career and Government Roles

Before venturing into politics, Sall worked in the oil sector. He joined President Abdoulaye Wade's Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) in the late 1980s. He was an active participant in the "Sopi" campaign, which was instrumental in bringing Wade to power in the 2000 Senegalese presidential election.

Sall's ascent in government began in 2000 when he became a special adviser on energy and mines to President Wade. He also served as the Director-General of the Petroleum Company of Senegal (PETROSEN) from December 2000 to July 2001. In May 2001, he was appointed Minister of Mines, Energy, and Hydraulics. He was later promoted to Minister of State in November 2002, while retaining his previous portfolio. That same year, he was elected mayor of his hometown, Fatick, a position he held from 2002 to 2008 and again from 2009 to 2012. In August 2003, Sall transitioned to the role of Minister of State for the Interior and Local Communities and also served as the government's spokesperson.

His prominence grew further when President Wade appointed him Prime Minister on July 21, 2004. Sall held this position until June 2007, making him the longest-serving prime minister under President Wade. During his premiership, he played a key role in initiating major projects, including the Blaise Diagne International Airport. After resigning as Prime Minister, he was elected President of the National Assembly in June 2007.

However, relations between Sall and President Wade soured. It is widely speculated that their conflict arose after Sall, in his capacity as President of the National Assembly, brought Wade's son, Karim Wade, before the National Assembly for questioning regarding alleged mismanagement of government funds. This move was perceived by Wade loyalists as an attempt to undermine Karim Wade's potential succession. In November 2008, PDS leaders voted to abolish Sall's position within the party, and the National Assembly moved to significantly reduce the term of its presidency, effectively attempting to oust him. Sall refused to yield, and a resolution was passed to remove him from the post.

Following this political fallout, Sall resigned from the PDS and his posts as a PDS representative, including his mayorship of Fatick. He then founded his own political party, the Alliance for the Republic – Hope (Alliance pour la République—Yaakaar; APR—Yaakaar), in December 2008 and joined the opposition. He was re-elected as Fatick's mayor in 2009.

Presidency: First Term (2012-2019)

The 2012 Senegalese presidential election saw significant controversy surrounding incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade's bid for a third term, which many argued was unconstitutional. This widespread discontent, coupled with issues of corruption, nepotism, and financial scandals under Wade's administration, created a fertile ground for the opposition. Macky Sall, campaigning on a platform of change and "Emerging Senegal," emerged as a strong contender.

In the first round of the election held on February 26, 2012, Wade received 34.8% of the votes, while Sall secured 26.5%, forcing a runoff. Other opposition candidates rallied behind Sall, leading to his landslide victory in the second round on March 25, 2012, with over 65% of the votes. Sall's win marked a new era focused on transparency, good governance, and socio-economic development. He was sworn in on April 2, 2012, and appointed Abdoul Mbaye as his prime minister, focusing his administration on poverty alleviation and development.

A key promise during his campaign was to reduce the presidential term from seven to five years. In January 2016, Sall submitted proposed constitutional reforms, including this reduction and a two-term limit, to the Constitutional Council. While the Council rejected his attempt to shorten his own ongoing term, the other proposals, including the presidential term reduction for future mandates, were allowed to proceed to a referendum held in March 2016. The referendum passed with 63% in favor.

During his first term, Sall initiated several ambitious reforms and infrastructure projects under his "Emerging Senegal" development plan. These included building a new airport, a planned city near Dakar, extensive highways, express trains, a national stadium, and a road link to Mali. His administration aimed to modernize Senegal and improve living conditions, with a focus on agriculture, energy, and infrastructure. Senegal's economy saw steady growth, with the annual GDP increasing from $17 billion to $27 billion under his leadership. Internationally, Sall was lauded for his diplomatic efforts, advocating for African debt cancellation, bolstering anti-terrorism measures, and condemning military coups. He also contributed to resolving conflicts in Senegal's Casamance region and played a significant role in the ousting of Yahya Jammeh in Gambia in 2017.

Presidency: Second Term (2019-2024)

Macky Sall sought re-election in the 2019 Senegalese presidential election. Despite criticisms of growing intolerance of dissent and an election law passed in 2018 that made it more difficult for new candidates to run, Sall was favored to win. Two prominent opposition figures, Khalifa Sall and Karim Wade (Abdoulaye Wade's son), were barred from participating due to prior criminal convictions, which critics argued were politically motivated.

On February 24, 2019, Macky Sall was re-elected for a second term in the first round, securing 58.27% of the vote. His victory was confirmed by the Constitutional Council on March 5, 2019, and he was sworn in for his second term on April 2, 2019. This term, due to the constitutional amendment, was set for five years.

His second term was marked by a continued focus on development, but also by increasing political tensions and accusations of democratic infringements. Sall faced significant protests, particularly in 2021 and 2023, often linked to legal proceedings against opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. Sonko and his supporters maintained that the charges were politically motivated attempts to prevent him from running in the 2024 presidential election.

A major point of contention was the speculation surrounding Sall's potential bid for a third term. While the 2016 constitutional amendment limited presidents to two terms, Sall and his supporters argued that his first term, which began before the amendment, should not count towards this limit, thereby allowing him to seek another term. This ambiguity fueled considerable unrest and protests throughout 2023, some of which turned deadly.

Amidst mounting pressure and widespread public indignation, including from a coalition called F24 formed specifically to oppose a third term, Macky Sall announced on July 3, 2023, that he would not seek a third term in the 2024 election. This announcement was met with relief by many, easing the political tensions that had gripped the country. However, critics noted that he could have clarified his intentions much earlier, potentially preventing much of the prior unrest.

In February 2024, just three weeks before the scheduled presidential election, Sall sparked further controversy by postponing the election, citing a dispute over the disqualification of some presidential candidates. This decision plunged Senegal into turmoil, with critics accusing Sall of orchestrating an "institutional or constitutional coup." While the National Assembly voted to approve the postponement until December 15 and to keep Sall in power until a new president was installed, this was done amidst strong opposition and protests. However, under pressure from public outcry and judicial rulings, Sall ultimately relented, and the election was held on March 24, 2024.

Post-Presidency and Legacy

Macky Sall's presidency concluded in April 2024, when he handed over power to his successor, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. His 12 years in power left a complex legacy. He is credited with ambitious infrastructure development projects and a focus on transforming Senegal's economy through the "Emerging Senegal" plan. He extended development projects beyond the capital, Dakar, to rural areas.

However, his tenure also faced significant criticism regarding financial scandals, a crackdown on civil liberties, and perceived intolerance of dissent. The controversies surrounding the third term bid and the postponement of the 2024 election significantly strained Senegal's democratic reputation. Youth unemployment remains a pressing issue for the nation, and there is a public sentiment that the economy was not always well-managed.

In his post-presidency, Macky Sall has reportedly launched a management consulting company in Morocco, where he resides. He also emerged as a leading candidate for the opposition Takku Wallu Senegal coalition in the snap parliamentary elections held in November 2024, marking a controversial political comeback from abroad. His decision to return to the political fray so soon has raised questions and drawn criticism from the new administration, which has accused his former government of leaving behind "catastrophic" public finances and manipulating financial figures.