Since leaving office at the end of his two terms, former President Macky Sall has not yet been able to benefit from the material and human resources that the Constitution grants to all former heads of State. Unlike his predecessors, who were not deprived of anything, Macky Sall is obliged, for the time being, to pay for his own travel and security. All this, without any explanation.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s government does not seem to be afraid of settling scores. Alongside journalists who have been deprived of the means to survive, and workers at public companies such as the Port, Lonase and others who have been laid off almost without notice, it has time to attack all those it accuses of wrongdoing. For some, it’s quite serious, while for others it may seem more or less benign. His predecessor, former President Macky Sall, is a notable case in point.

Although no member of his inner circle is prepared to talk about it, Le Quotidien has learned that President Macky Sall has been stripped of all the privileges to which he is entitled as former President of the Republic, Macky Sall still has, for the time being, virtually only his salary, so to speak. The Senegalese authorities have withdrawn all his security, with the sole exception of the head of security. In addition, the former Head of State no longer has any member of staff, even though this was one of his privileges.

Land speculation: Marième Faye Sall’s mother summoned

All former Presidents of the Republic are entitled to an aide-de-camp, a head of security and staff including a driver and a bodyguard. This is in addition to the members of his secretariat and other members of his cabinet. All these staff are provided for by the State, even when the President leaves Senegal.

This has always been the case, ever since the country has seen a head of state replaced by a newcomer. Léopold Sédar Senghor benefited right up to the time of his death. Abdou Diouf, despite Abdoulaye Wade’s pettiness at some point, never had to complain about his staff. The same can be said of President Wade, whose relations with Macky Sall have at times reached a point of no return.  All his privileges as a former head of state have always been available to him, even when it was necessary to increase his salary, in the same way as his predecessor. Moreover, Abdou Diouf, who already benefited from the salary paid to him by the International Organisation of the Francophonie (Oif), never complained about any withholding of his pension by Senegal. Yet, Wade never concealed his lack of sympathy for Diouf.

Media Black Out 20 Years Later…

In other words, the treatment imposed on Macky Sall is a novelty, and one wonders what could justify it. For his part, the leader of the Apr party has decided to take things philosophically, and not to complain publicly. Hence the order given to his entourage not to comment on the issue. The only thing he had to do, for the moment, was to reinforce his security. He hired a private security service to replace the those that the State has decided to retain. He has also changed his vehicle fleet. Time, no doubt, to see how things turn out.

This withholding of President Macky Sall’s resources comes less than a week after Le Quotidien reported that his mother-in-law was summoned to the gendarmerie for land issues. Was it the newspaper’s article or a certain leniency? However, following the article in the newspaper, the judicial authorities announced that they had taken note of Oumou Diallo’s disability and that she could be heard at her home. This is all the more important given that, according to last-minute information, she will only be heard as a witness, alongside her son Adama Faye, who is alleged to be the subject of some fairly serious allegations.

By Mohamed GUEYE / mgueye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH