Controversy clouds Macky Sall’s run for UN Secretary-General

The former president of Senegal, Macky Sall, has recently entered the race to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, following a nomination submitted in early March 2026. The nomination was put forward by Burundi, which currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the African Union. Sall, who led Senegal from 2012 to 2024, is now positioning himself as one of several global contenders to succeed António Guterres when his term ends in 2026.

However, contrary to some early reports, Sall’s candidacy does not yet carry the formal endorsement of the African Union as a unified bloc. While Burundi’s action has been interpreted by some as reflecting continental backing, AU procedures typically require a structured selection process through which member states agree on a single official candidate. That process has not yet taken place. As a result, Sall is currently viewed as an African candidate, but not the African Union’s consensus nominee. This distinction is significant, as past UN leadership contests have often seen regional groups rally behind a single agreed candidate to strengthen their chances.

Sall’s bid has received notable support from prominent African figures, including former AU Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat, who has described the candidacy as timely and credible given Sall’s experience on both the continental and international stage. “At a moment when the world urgently needs renewed multilateralism, his selection could help open a new Chapter—one focused on Peace, Stability, and shared Prosperity for all,” Mousa Faki said. The Supporters of Sall’s candidacy, including Moussa Faki, argue that his background in governance, regional diplomacy, and economic policy makes him well-suited to handle complex global challenges.

At the same time, his candidacy has generated criticism and controversy. Opponents, including individuals who claim to have suffered under his leadership, accuse him of overseeing violent crackdowns on political protests during his final years in office. These demonstrations, which took place between 2021 and 2024, resulted in dozens of deaths, injuries, and arrests. Additionally, the current government has alleged that Sall’s administration misrepresented the country’s financial situation, with a review by the International Monetary Fund confirming inaccuracies in reporting budget deficits and public debt over several years. Critics argue that Sall may be seeking an international role to avoid accountability, with activists and political figures condemning what they describe as “bloodshed and economic crimes” during his tenure.

Meanwhile, Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, the Foreign Minister of Rwanda, has criticized the leadership of the African Union following a dispute over the nomination process. In a statement, Nduhungirehe said recent events within the African Union exposed serious governance concerns, warning that the bloc risked being “driven into a crisis” by its current chair, Évariste Ndayishimiye.

According to Rwanda, the nomination was submitted on March 2 to the United Nations General Assembly without prior consultation with African heads of state — a step Kigali described as a breach of established procedures governing continental endorsements.

Nduhungirehe said the situation further deteriorated when Ndayishimiye attempted to secure retrospective approval through what he described as an “unusual” 24-hour silence procedure, rather than convening a formal summit of AU leaders. At least 20 AU member states broke the silence, effectively blocking the endorsement. Rwanda emphasized that its objection was not directed at Sall personally but at what it described as a “flawed procedure.”

“This was too much for many AU member states,” Nduhungirehe said, accusing the AU chair of disregarding established rules and showing disrespect toward fellow leaders.