The African Union (AU) is preparing to support the candidacy of former Senegalese President Macky Sall for the prestigious position of Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN). This initiative, driven by Burundi, whose President Évariste Ndayishimiye has held the rotating presidency of the AU since February 14, demonstrates a continental consensus in favor of the former Senegalese head of state.
According to sources in Jeune Afrique, this unanimous support from the AU is the main driver of this candidacy. The Burundian president has officially endorsed Macky Sall's candidacy on behalf of his country, marking an important step in this process. The election of the UN Secretary-General is scheduled for the end of 2026, when the term of the current incumbent, António Guterres, ends.
However, this candidacy is not unanimously supported in Senegal itself. Relations between Macky Sall and the current government, led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, are notoriously strained. This paradoxical situation highlights the complexities of African politics, where continental issues can sometimes diverge from national dynamics.
Macky Sall, 63, has recognized experience on the international stage, thanks in particular to his term as President of the African Union in 2022-2023. In particular, he worked for the integration of the pan-African organization within the G20 and was involved in managing the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. His profile as a leader from the Global South, familiar with the challenges of development, could be an asset in a world marked by crises and inequalities. Despite potential obstacles, including the need to avoid a veto from members of the UN Security Council, Macky Sall continues to believe in his chances.
Macky Sall's candidacy represents a major issue for Senegal and for Africa, offering the prospect of better representation of the continent in global governance. It remains to be seen how national and continental actors will position themselves in the face of this candidacy and what the next developments will be in this race for the UN Secretary-Generalship. The former Senegalese president will have to demonstrate his ability to transcend divisions and embody unifying leadership in the service of peace and sustainable development.
