Macky Sall withdraws from race to become UN secretary-general

Monday 19 October 2026 - 09:30

By: Azzat Manal

Macky Sall withdraws from race to become UN secretary-general

Former Senegalese President Macky Sall has withdrawn his candidacy to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations, saying he hopes his decision will help the Security Council identify a candidate capable of securing broader support. His announcement on October 17 followed an inconclusive informal vote in which all seven contenders received at least one negative vote from a permanent member of the Council, according to AFP reporting.

In a statement shared on social media, Sall said he had taken note of the voting results and wanted to contribute to the emergence of a consensus candidate. He also suggested that the pattern of support in successive ballots pointed towards a possible choice from Latin America and the Caribbean, potentially a woman. His withdrawal marks a significant change in the selection process as member states seek a successor to António Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026.

The Security Council's informal ballots, commonly known as straw polls, are designed to gauge support before a formal recommendation is made. Members can indicate whether they encourage or discourage a candidate, or have no opinion. Although these votes are not binding, opposition from any of the five permanent members—the United States, China, Russia, France and the United Kingdom—signals a potential veto that could prevent a candidate from advancing.

Sall's support had weakened over successive rounds. In the first informal poll in July, he received six votes in favour, seven against and two expressing no opinion. His results deteriorated in later ballots, leaving his candidacy facing substantial resistance. The latest poll, held on October 16, again failed to produce a clear consensus, with every remaining candidate receiving at least one discouraging vote from a permanent member.

Sall was nominated by Burundi, while Senegal initially withheld official support for his bid. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye later endorsed the former leader's candidacy in July after a meeting between the two men. Despite that backing, the voting results indicated that Sall had not secured the level of support needed to move closer to the position.

His withdrawal comes amid wider debate over the geographical balance and representation of leadership within the United Nations. The secretary-general is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council, where a candidate must secure at least nine votes from the 15 members and avoid a veto by any permanent member. The selection process therefore requires both broad support and agreement among the five major powers.

Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan emerged with the strongest overall support in the October 16 poll, although she also received negative votes, including from permanent members. Other candidates have faced similar obstacles, leaving the field without an agreed successor. Sall's exit reduces the number of contenders and may alter discussions among Council members, but it does not in itself resolve the wider impasse.

By stepping aside, Sall has presented his decision as an effort to facilitate consensus rather than prolong a candidacy that has struggled to attract sufficient support. The next stage will depend on consultations among Council members and whether a candidate can secure the backing required for a formal recommendation. Until that agreement is reached, the process remains open and the choice of the next UN secretary-general is still undecided.