On March 26, 2026, the African Union (AU) validated the candidacy of former Senegalese President Macky Sall for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations. However, this initiative is causing notable diplomatic tension, as Senegal, through its Permanent Mission to the AU, has officially disavowed this approach initiated by Burundi.
The AU Commission, based in Addis Ababa, transmitted a draft decision approving Macky Sall's candidacy, specifying that in the absence of objections from at least one-third of the member states before March 27, 2026, the decision would be adopted by consensus, according to a procedure known as "silence procedure".
Dakar's reaction was not long in coming. In an official statement, Senegal clearly indicated that it had "at no stage endorsed this candidacy and has not been associated with the related initiative, as undertaken by the Government of Burundi". This position underlines that Senegal does not consider itself a party to this process. This situation places Macky Sall in a delicate position, as he is supported by the AU, but without the official endorsement of his own country.
This public disavowal is unusual in African diplomatic relations and reflects a possible fracture between Macky Sall and the current government of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who succeeded him in March 2024. The relationship between the two men and their circles remains a matter of questioning, even if indirect channels of discussion exist. Macky Sall's candidacy for the head of the UN is therefore compromised by this lack of national support, which could weigh on his credibility and chances of success on the international stage. The next stage of the UN process will determine the real impact of this disavowal.
The succession of António Guterres, whose mandate ends in late December 2026, will begin on January 1, 2027. Macky Sall highlights his diplomatic experience and his presidency of the African Union in 2022 to justify his candidacy.
