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Macky Sall

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Macky Sall is a prominent Senegalese politician. He served as the fourth president of Senegal from 2012 to 2024.

Macky Sall with Obamas 2014 (cropped)
Macky Sall with Obamas 2014 (cropped)

Before his presidency, he held several high-ranking government roles. He was the eighth prime minister of the country from 2004 to 2007. He also served as the president of the National Assembly. Sall's career is a story of rising through the government ranks and later challenging the existing leadership. His life reflects the political evolution of Senegal following its independence from France.

Sall's early life provided a foundation for his later studies and career. He was born on December 11, 1961, to Amadou Abdoul Sall and Coumba Thimbo. His father worked for the state, while his mother was a peanut seller. Sall grew up in several locations, including Fatick and Futa Tooro. During his university years in Dakar, he was involved in a Marxist-Leninist movement called And-Jëf. However, he eventually left this group because he disagreed with their specific political strategies. He chose to support the liberal candidate Abdoulaye Wade in the 1983 and 1988 elections.

Before entering full-time politics, Sall focused on scientific training. He studied to become a geological engineer, which is a professional who studies the earth's physical structure. He attended the Institute of Earth Sciences at the University of Dakar. He also studied at the French Institute of Petroleum in Paris. Because of this expertise, he remains a member of many international associations for geological engineers. This technical background helped him serve in roles related to energy and mining later in life.

Sall's political rise began within the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS). He worked closely with President Abdoulaye Wade for many years. During this time, he served as the Minister of Mines, Energy, and Hydraulics. He also held the position of Director-General of the Petroleum Company of Senegal, known as PETROSEN. In 2004, Wade appointed Sall as the prime minister.

Secretary Pompeo Meets With President Macky Sall in Dakar (49554060831)
Secretary Pompeo Meets With President Macky Sall in Dakar (49554060831)

As prime minister, Sall was responsible for managing government policy. He was the longest-serving prime minister under President Wade's administration.

Eventually, a significant political conflict changed the course of Sall's career. A disagreement arose between Sall and President Wade regarding the National Assembly. This tension led to Sall being removed from his position as President of the National Assembly in November 2008. In response, Sall resigned from the PDS and founded his own political party. This new party was named the Alliance for the Republic, or APR.

P20221215AS-0277 (52651190254)
P20221215AS-0277 (52651190254)

By joining the opposition, Sall moved from being a government leader to a challenger of the presidency.

Sall's journey to the presidency culminated in the 2012 elections. He ran under the slogan "The Path of Real Development." In the first round of voting, he placed second behind President Wade. To win, he formed a coalition called "Benno Bokk Yakkar," which means "United in the Same Hope."

Secretary Blinken With Senegalese President and African Union Chairperson Sall (52562833023)
Secretary Blinken With Senegalese President and African Union Chairperson Sall (52562833023)

In the second round of voting on March 25, 2012, Sall won with 65.8% of the vote. This victory made him the first president born after Senegal gained its independence from France.

As president, Sall oversaw massive changes to Senegal's infrastructure. He completed projects such as a new airport, highways, and express trains. He also helped build a national stadium and a road connecting Senegal to Mali. These developments coincided with significant economic growth. The country's annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose from $17 billion to $27 billion during his tenure.

Putin-Sall meeting (2022-06-03) 03
Putin-Sall meeting (2022-06-03) 03

On the global stage, he advocated for the cancellation of African debt and worked to resolve regional conflicts.

Despite these achievements, Sall's presidency also faced periods of domestic tension. He encountered criticism regarding governance and constitutional debates. These issues contributed to large-scale protests in Senegal during the 2023–2024 period.

Macky Sall protest
Macky Sall protest

Even with these challenges, Sall remains active in international politics. He has announced his candidacy to become the Secretary-General of the United Nations in 2027. Several African nations, including Burundi, have expressed support for his candidacy.

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File:Macky_Sall_with_Obamas_2014_(cropped).jpg
Macky_Sall_with_Obamas_2014_(cropped).jpg
File:Secretary Pompeo Meets With President Macky Sall in Dakar (49554060831).jpg
Secretary Pompeo Meets With President...
File:Secretary Blinken With Senegalese President and African Union Chairperson Sall (52562833023).jpg
Secretary Blinken With Senegalese...
File:Putin-Sall meeting (2022-06-03) 03.jpg
Putin-Sall meeting (2022-06-03) 03.jpg
File:P20221215AS-0277 (52651190254).jpg
P20221215AS-0277 (52651190254).jpg
File:Vertice Italia Africa (66).jpg
Vertice Italia Africa (66).jpg
File:Macky Sall protest.jpg
Macky Sall protest.jpg
File:SEN Order of the Lion - Grand Cross BAR.svg
SEN Order of the Lion - Grand Cross BAR.svg
File:Order of Merit - Grand Cross (Senegal) - ribbon bar.png
Order of Merit - Grand Cross (Senegal) -...
File:BEN National Order of Dahomey - Grand Cross BAR.png
BEN National Order of Dahomey - Grand...
File:Amílcar Cabral Order - 1st Class (Cabo Verde).png
Amílcar Cabral Order - 1st Class (Cabo Verde).png
File:Legion Honneur GO ribbon.svg
Legion Honneur GO ribbon.svg

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