Former Senegalese President Macky Sall has announced that he will maintain his candidacy for Secretary-General of the United Nations, despite facing significant opposition from African countries and even a lack of support from his own country, Senegal.
At least 20 member states of the African Union have declined to support his bid. Sall’s candidacy was initially submitted by Burundi, which currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the African Union. However, it has also emerged that the Senegalese government has rejected his candidacy, dealing a major political blow to his campaign.
The endorsement process was expected to follow a “silent approval” procedure, requiring at least one-third of the African Union’s 55 member states to support the candidate without objection. This threshold was not met, as several countries voiced opposition.
Although Egypt and Liberia later withdrew their objections or calls to delay the decision, reducing the number of opposing states to 18, the overall trend remained unfavorable to Sall.
Despite these setbacks, his campaign team released a statement confirming that his candidacy remains valid and will continue.
Sall’s bid is also facing challenges linked to domestic political tensions in Senegal.
The country’s new leadership, including President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, have openly criticized his record in office.
Among the allegations are claims that he used excessive force to suppress political protests between 2021 and 2024, which resulted in multiple deaths, as well as accusations of concealing key economic information, particularly regarding state debt owed to the International Monetary Fund.
The next Secretary-General of the United Nations is set to take office on January 1, 2027, succeeding António Guterres of Portugal.
As part of the selection process, the United Nations invites member states to nominate candidates. Each candidate must be endorsed by at least one country or group of countries, even if they are not a national of the endorsing state.
The divisions surrounding Sall’s candidacy highlight broader challenges within Africa’s efforts to present a unified position in international leadership contests.
Analysts note that internal disagreements among African states could weaken the continent’s influence on the global stage.
Sall’s decision to press ahead despite rejection from Senegal itself and limited support across Africa may significantly undermine his chances, as regional backing is typically essential in securing such a position.
