Macky Sall Quits UN Secretary-General Race

Former Senegalese president Macky Sall has withdrawn his candidacy to become the next United Nations secretary-general, leaving Uganda’s Olara Otunnu as the only African contender.

Sall steps aside after Security Council poll

Sall announced his withdrawal on Saturday, saying he hoped to help the emergence of a consensus candidate. His decision came a day after an informal Security Council poll in which all seven candidates received at least one discouraging vote.

Earlier poll weakened Sall’s bid

In the first poll held in July, Sall received six votes in favour, seven against and two abstentions. Candidates need at least nine positive votes from the Council’s 15 members to advance. A discouraging vote from any of the five permanent members—Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States—can effectively block a candidate.

Grynspan remains among leading candidates

Costa Rican candidate Rebecca Grynspan received seven encouraging votes in Friday’s poll, but also five discouraging votes, including two from permanent members. The informal polls are not binding, and further rounds are expected before the final ballot in the autumn.

Senegal eventually backed Sall

Senegal initially declined to support Sall’s candidacy, which was put forward by Burundi. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye later endorsed his predecessor’s bid following a meeting between the two men in July.

Latin America expected to be considered

Traditionally, the UN’s top position rotates among world regions. Under that convention, a candidate from Latin America is expected to take the role this time, and most of the remaining candidates are from the region. Sall’s withdrawal leaves former Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu as Africa’s sole candidate in the race.