Former Senegalese President Macky Sall has withdrawn from the race to become the next United Nations secretary-general, announcing his decision on Saturday, October 17, after an informal Security Council vote.
His departure removes one of Africa’s contenders to succeed António Guterres, whose second term ends in December. Uganda’s Olara Otunnu remains in the contest.
Sall said he hoped withdrawing would help the Security Council agree on a consensus candidate. Capital FM and Premium Times reported that he made the decision after consultations with Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye, the African Union chairperson, and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who chairs ECOWAS.
The decision followed the council’s October 16 straw poll. Capital FM reported that each of the seven candidates received at least one “discourage” vote from a permanent member.
Such informal votes test support but do not amount to a formal veto. To secure the council’s recommendation, a candidate needs at least nine votes from its 15 members and no negative vote from any of the five permanent members: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The General Assembly then makes the appointment.
Sall’s candidacy had also faced disagreement over efforts to secure African Union backing. Premium Times reported that Nigeria had objected earlier this year to the procedure used to seek continental endorsement, as well as arguing that Latin America and the Caribbean should produce the next UN chief.
That regional rotation is an informal convention, not a binding rule. Nigeria’s earlier objection was presented as a question of procedure and principle rather than opposition to Sall personally, according to the diplomatic note quoted by Premium Times in April.
In announcing his withdrawal, Sall said he remained committed to peace, security, development and international cooperation. He also called for changes to the UN’s working methods and for Africa to continue seeking a stronger role in global governance.
Sources: Capital FM, Premium Times, Voice of Nigeria
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