Africa has just one candidate remaining in the race to become the next United Nations secretary-general after former Senegalese President Macky Sall withdrew his candidacy.
Sall announced his decision on October 17, following the latest informal vote by the UN Security Council.
His withdrawal leaves Uganda’s veteran diplomat Olara Otunnu as the continent’s only remaining candidate in the current field.
The selection process is underway to replace António Guterres, whose term as UN secretary-general ends on December 31, 2026.
Why did Macky Sall withdraw?
Sall said his decision followed consultations with African leaders and the results of the Security Council’s October 16 informal ballot.
These included discussions with Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, the current African Union chairperson, and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who chairs the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
In a statement published on X, Sall said he withdrew to help build consensus within the Security Council.
The former Senegalese president thanked countries and officials who had supported his candidacy.
He also said Africa should continue seeking greater representation in international decision-making.
Sall, who previously served as Senegal’s president, said his bid reflected a desire to contribute his decades of public service to the United Nations.
Who is Africa’s remaining candidate?
Uganda’s Olara Otunnu is now the only African candidate in the race.
Otunnu is a former Ugandan foreign minister and experienced international diplomat.
He served as the UN special representative for children and armed conflict from 1998 to 2005 and previously held the position of UN under-secretary-general.
His campaign focuses on conflict resolution, reform of the Security Council and international cooperation on artificial intelligence.
However, his candidacy faces challenges following the latest informal Security Council ballot.
According to results reported by Business Insider Africa, Otunnu received four votes of encouragement and 10 discouraging votes, while one council member expressed no opinion.
Who is leading the UN secretary-general race?
Candidates from Latin America and the Caribbean received stronger support in the latest informal vote.
Former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan received nine encouraging votes, five discouraging votes and one expression of no opinion, according to Reuters figures cited by Business Insider Africa.
However, two of the discouraging votes reportedly came from permanent Security Council members, creating a potential obstacle to her candidacy.
Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Argentina’s Rafael Grossi are also among the contenders.
None of the seven candidates in the October 16 ballot received a result free of opposition from at least two permanent Security Council members.
The vote was informal and did not determine the final appointment.
How is the UN secretary-general selected?
The United Nations secretary-general is appointed by the General Assembly following a recommendation from the Security Council.
The council has 15 members, including five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Each permanent member can veto a recommendation.
Informal ballots help Security Council members assess the level of support for candidates before a formal recommendation is made.
The process can involve several rounds of voting and negotiations before a candidate is selected.
Africa calls for greater representation
Sall’s withdrawal has renewed attention on Africa’s representation in international leadership positions.
In his statement, the former Senegalese president stressed that the continent should continue making its voice heard in discussions about peace, security and development.
His departure leaves Otunnu as Africa’s sole candidate in the current contest, although the selection process remains open.
The Security Council has yet to agree on a successor to Guterres.
The next UN secretary-general is expected to take office in January 2027.