The Road Is Difficult, But the Tide Is Turning

The road is difficult, but Macky Sall remains firmly in the race, alongside the other candidates. Yet something appears to be changing. The debate is gradually moving beyond the logic of geographical rotation toward a closer examination of experience, leadership, international credibility, the ability to build consensus, and the relevance of reform proposals.

This is the message that some civil society organizations are seeking to bring to the attention of the major powers: Macky Sall could emerge as the candidate of consensus.

Not simply because he is African. Not because of a regional formula. But because his political and international experience has given him a distinctive understanding of the challenges facing a world increasingly divided by geopolitical rivalries, economic competition and security crises.

Macky Sall has led Senegal, a country marked by political, social and religious pluralism. He has also led the African Union and, in that capacity, engaged with many of the world’s major leaders and with countries whose interests are sometimes directly opposed.

His experience is particularly relevant in one area that the international community desperately needs today: dialogue and the management of peace.

When he left the presidency of Senegal, he organized a presidential election in which he did not participate, despite having no legal obligation to withdraw from the political process in such a manner. He chose institutional stability and a peaceful transition.

In a continent where political transitions can too often become sources of tension, Senegal experienced a change of power without a major institutional crisis or widespread post-electoral confrontation.

His diplomatic experience is equally significant. During his years in office, Macky Sall maintained relations with a remarkably broad range of international actors — Arab countries, Israel, Iran, the United States, Russia, China, Türkiye, Germany, European countries and, naturally, African partners.

That breadth of relationships matters.

The world is entering a period in which dialogue between opposing powers is becoming increasingly difficult. The traditional balance of power is changing. New alliances are emerging. Economic interests, energy security, food security, technological competition and geopolitical rivalries are increasingly interconnected.

In such a world, the choice of a leader for an international responsibility cannot be based exclusively on rotation.

Rotation may have its merits as a principle of representation. But representation alone is not enough. The international community also needs experience, credibility, the capacity to listen, the ability to mediate and, above all, the ability to speak to people who do not necessarily agree.

This is where the Macky Sall candidacy deserves serious consideration.

The debate should therefore move beyond personalities and political affiliations. It should examine the candidates’ records, their understanding of international affairs, their reform agendas and their ability to contribute to a more balanced and effective international system.

The question is ultimately a simple one:

Who can be most useful to the international community at this particular moment in history?

Those entrusted with the responsibility of choosing have a historic duty. They must listen, compare the candidates, examine their experience and assess their proposals.

The choice should not simply be about selecting a candidate who fits an established formula. It should be about identifying the candidate whose experience, credibility and capacity for dialogue can best serve the international community.

If Macky Sall were to emerge as that choice, it would represent more than a personal achievement and more than an African success.

It could signal something larger: that the international community is beginning to place greater value on consensus over confrontation, experience over formula, and usefulness over habit.

Perhaps this is the real opportunity before those who will make the choice.

The world may need more than another representative. It may need a leader capable of speaking to everyone.

Libre Afrique .com