Macky Sall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Macky Sall
|
|
|---|---|
| 𞤃𞤢𞤳𞤭 𞤅𞤢𞤤 | |
Sall in 2020
|
|
| 4th President of Senegal | |
| In office 2 April 2012 – 2 April 2024 |
|
| Prime Minister |
|
| Preceded by | Abdoulaye Wade |
| Succeeded by | Bassirou Diomaye Faye |
| 8th Prime Minister of Senegal | |
| In office 21 July 2004 – 19 June 2007 |
|
| President | Abdoulaye Wade |
| Preceded by | Idrissa Seck |
| Succeeded by | Cheikh Hadjibou Soumaré |
| President of the National Assembly | |
| In office 20 June 2007 – 9 November 2008 |
|
| Preceded by | Pape Diop |
| Succeeded by | Mamadou Seck |
| Mayor of Fatick | |
| In office 1 April 2009 – 2 April 2012 |
|
| Deputy | Famara Sarr |
| Preceded by | Doudou Ngom |
| Succeeded by | Famara Sarr |
| In office 1 June 2002 – 9 November 2008 |
|
| Deputy | Souleymane Ndéné Ndiaye |
| Preceded by | Doudou Ngom |
| Succeeded by | Doudou Ngom |
| 20th Chairperson of the African Union | |
| In office 5 February 2022 – 18 February 2023 |
|
| Preceded by | Félix Tshisekedi |
| Succeeded by | Azali Assoumani |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 December 1961 Fatick, Senegal |
| Political party | Senegalese Democratic Party (Late 1980s–2008) Alliance for the Republic (2008–present) |
| Spouse | Marieme Faye Sall |
| Alma mater | Cheikh Anta Diop University Institute of French Petroleum |
Macky Sall, born on December 11, 1961, is a politician from Senegal. He was the fourth president of Senegal, serving from 2012 to 2024. Before becoming president, he was the eighth prime minister from 2004 to 2007. He also served as the president of the National Assembly from 2007 to 2008.
Sall was the Mayor of Fatick from 2002 to 2008 and again from 2009 to 2012. He was a long-time member of the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS). After some disagreements with then-President Abdoulaye Wade, he left his role as President of the National Assembly in November 2008. He then started his own political party, the Alliance for the Republic (APR), and joined the opposition.
In the first round of the 2012 Senegalese presidential election, Sall came in second. However, he gained support from other opposition candidates and won against Wade in the second round on March 25, 2012. He is the first president of Senegal to be born after the country gained independence from France.
During Sall's time as president, Senegal saw many new buildings and projects. These included a new airport and town near Dakar, new highways, and express trains. The country's economy also grew steadily. On the world stage, he was praised for his diplomatic efforts. He worked to help resolve the Casamance conflict in Senegal and played a key role in removing dictator Yahya Jammeh in neighboring Gambia in 2017.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Macky Sall was one of five children. His father worked for the state, and his mother sold peanuts. He grew up in different places in Senegal, including Fatick and Mboro.
Sall's father was part of the Socialist Party of Senegal. However, Macky Sall became interested in different political ideas during high school and university. He studied to become a geological engineer at the University of Dakar and later in Paris, France. He is a member of several groups for geologists.
He met his wife, Marieme Faye Sall, in 1992.
Early Political Career
Sall joined President Wade's Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) in the late 1980s. He was very active in the "Sopi" campaign, which helped Wade become president in the 2000 Senegalese presidential election.
From 2000 to 2003, Sall was a special advisor to President Wade for energy and mines. He also led the Petroleum Company of Senegal (PETROSEN). In May 2001, he became the Minister of Mines, Energy, and Hydraulics. Later, in 2002, he was promoted to Minister of State. He also became the Mayor of Fatick in June 2002.
In August 2003, Sall became the Minister of State for the Interior and Local Communities. He also served as the government's spokesperson.
Becoming Prime Minister
On July 21, 2004, President Wade chose Macky Sall to be the prime minister. Sall was not very well known at the time, but he made a strong impression with his first speech.
Sall led President Wade's re-election campaign in the 2007 Senegalese presidential election. Wade won the election. Sall continued as prime minister until June 19, 2007, making him the longest-serving prime minister under President Wade. During his time, he helped start major projects like the Blaise Diagne International Airport.
President of the National Assembly
In the 2007 Senegalese parliamentary election, Sall was elected to the National Assembly. On June 20, 2007, he was elected as the President of the National Assembly.
Later in 2007, Sall and President Wade had disagreements. Sall questioned some projects led by Wade's son, Karim Wade. This caused tension between Sall and Wade's supporters. In November 2007, Sall's important party position was removed. The National Assembly also voted to shorten the term of the President of the National Assembly from five years to one year.
On November 9, 2008, the National Assembly voted to remove Sall from his position as President of the National Assembly. Sall then announced he was leaving the PDS party. This meant he would lose his seat in the National Assembly and his role as Mayor of Fatick. He also said he would create a new political party.
In Opposition
Sall started his new party, the Alliance for the Republic–Yaakaar (APR), on December 1, 2008. He was accused of money laundering, but he denied it, saying the accusation was politically motivated. In February 2009, the case against him was dropped due to lack of evidence.
In March 2009, Sall was re-elected as Mayor of Fatick. His new party, APR, also had success in other local elections. Sall began preparing to run for president in the 2012 Senegalese presidential election. He traveled across Senegal and met with Senegalese people living abroad.
Presidency
First Term as President
.jpg)
In the 2012 presidential elections, Sall ran with the slogan "The Path of Real Development." He campaigned across the country and worked with opposition groups.
In the first round of the election on February 26, 2012, Sall received 26.5% of the votes, while President Wade got 34.8%. This meant there had to be a second round. Sall gained support from other candidates and formed a group called "Benno Bokk Yakkar," meaning "United in the Same Hope." He promised to change the presidential term back to five years from seven and to limit presidents to two terms.
The second round took place on March 25, 2012. Wade called Sall to congratulate him, and Sall was officially announced as the winner with 65.8% of the vote.
Sall became the fourth President of Senegal on April 2, 2012. The next day, he appointed Abdoul Mbaye as his prime minister. Sall announced plans to reduce government spending and audit the previous administration. He also canceled some projects and agencies that were deemed unnecessary.
To help with the cost of living, Sall's government lowered the prices of oil, rice, and sugar. Retirement payments were increased, and farmers received emergency help. He also canceled permits given to foreign fishing boats.
.jpg)
In foreign policy, Sall worked to strengthen Senegal's relationships with countries like Morocco, Mauritania, and the Gambia. He also aimed to restore Senegal's diplomatic role in Africa.
In February 2013, Sall secured $7.5 billion for his "Emergent Senegal" economic plan. This plan aimed to make Senegal an emerging economy by 2035 through investments in farming, infrastructure, and tourism. His government also worked towards creating a new universal healthcare system.
In September 2013, Sall replaced Prime Minister Mbaye with Aminata Touré. Later, in July 2014, she was replaced by Mohammed Dionne.
Peace in the Casamance region was a major goal for Sall. On May 1, 2014, one of the leaders of the separatist movement in Casamance declared a cease-fire after secret talks.
.jpg)
In January 2016, Sall supported changes to the constitution to limit presidents to two five-year terms. The Constitutional Council allowed these changes to be put to a vote, which passed on March 20, 2016.
Second Term as President
In the 2019 Senegalese presidential election, Sall won re-election with 58% of the votes.
In June 2020, Sall self-isolated after being exposed to someone with COVID-19. In November 2020, he formed his fourth government.
Sall was chosen as the Chairperson of the African Union for 2022, starting his term on February 5, 2022.
_03.jpg)
On June 3, 2022, Sall met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss grain deliveries to Africa. Sall explained that African countries were suffering from the economic crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He also mentioned that banking restrictions were making it hard for African countries to pay for food and fertilizers from Russia.
.jpg)
In December 2022, he attended the United States–Africa Leaders Summit 2022 and met with US President Joe Biden.
In July 2023, he attended the 2023 Russia–Africa Summit in Saint Petersburg.
Election Postponement and Overturning
On February 3, 2024, President Sall ordered the postponement of the presidential election. He mentioned concerns about the fairness of the election process and issues with some candidates' citizenship. This was the first time a presidential election had been postponed in Senegal's history.
Protests broke out in Dakar and other cities. Police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators, and some opposition figures were arrested. Mobile internet access was shut off, and a private TV channel had its license revoked. Sadly, three people died during these protests.
On February 15, the Senegalese Constitutional Council ruled that the postponement was against the constitution and ordered it to be canceled. However, they also said that holding the election on the original date of February 25 was no longer possible. Sall said he would follow the decision and leave office on April 2 as planned.
On March 6, the government set the first round of elections for March 24. The Constitutional Council approved this new date. The election was won by opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and Sall left office at the end of his term on April 2.
Post-Presidency
After leaving the presidency, Macky Sall was named a leading candidate for the opposition in the 2024 Senegalese parliamentary election. In January 2025, he started a management consulting company in Morocco, where he lives.
Political Views
Foreign Policy
In 2015, Macky Sall sent 2,100 Senegalese troops to join the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen. This was seen as a way to build stronger ties between Saudi Arabia and Senegal.
In January 2017, Sall sent Senegalese troops to help in the ECOWAS military intervention in the Gambia. In August 2023, Senegal announced its troops would join any ECOWAS intervention in Niger during the 2023 Nigerien crisis.
Many world leaders have met Macky Sall in Senegal, including former US President Barack Obama and former French President François Hollande.
Human Rights
Sall supports women's rights.
He has defended Senegal's laws on homosexuality, stating that the country is not ready to decriminalize it. Sall's popularity in Senegal has decreased since the protests in March 2021.
Religion
Sall is a Muslim. He supports religious freedom and has met Pope Francis. He opposes extreme forms of Islam and supports a "tolerant Islam."
Personal Life
Sall is married to Marieme Faye Sall and has three children: two sons and one daughter.
He can speak five languages: three local Senegalese languages (Pulaar, Wolof, and Serer) and two European languages (French and English).
Honors
National Honors
Senegal:
Grand Master (and Grand Cross) of the National Order of the Lion
Grand Master (and Grand Cross) of the National Order of Merit
_-_ribbon_bar.png){kind=small}
Foreign Honors
| Ribbon bar | Country | Honour |
|---|---|---|
 |
 Benin |
Grand Cross of the National Order of Benin |
.png){kind=small} |
 Cape Verde |
Grand Cross of Amílcar Cabral Order |
 |
 France |
Grand Officier National Order of Legion of Honour |
 |
 Gambia |
Honorary Grand Commander of the Order of the Republic of The Gambia |
 |
 Ivory Coast |
Grand Cross of the National Order of the Ivory Coast |
 |
 Luxembourg |
Knight of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau |
 |
 Mauritania |
Grand Cordon of the National Order of Merit (Mauritania) |
 |
 Morocco |
Grand Collar of the Order of Muhammad |
 |
 Portugal |
Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry |
.gif){kind=small} |
 Quebec |
Grand Cross of the Order of La Pléiade |
 |
 Saudi Arabia |
Chain of the Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud |
Other Achievements
President Sall received the 2020 Sunhak Peace Prize for successfully shortening the presidential term and improving the economy.
He also received the American Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award in 2022.
In 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Sall as a Special Envoy for a global climate finance initiative. He later resigned from this role.
See also
In Spanish: Macky Sall para niños
