Former Senegalese President Macky Sall Enters Race for UN Secretary-General

Addis Ababa, March 4, 2026 (FMC) — Former Senegalese President Macky Sall has officially entered the race to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, with his candidacy formally submitted to the UN General Assembly this week.

Media reports indicate that Sall’s nomination was put forward by Burundi, which currently chairs the African Union (AU). The President of the UN General Assembly has acknowledged receipt of the nomination, formally placing Sall among the candidates vying for the world body’s top diplomatic post.

The next UN Secretary-General will be appointed for a five-year term beginning January 1, 2027, succeeding António Guterres, whose second term concludes at the end of 2026.

Sall, who served as President of Senegal from 2012 to 2024, becomes one of the prominent figures in what is expected to be a closely watched and competitive selection process. Other reported candidates include former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi.

The UN Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. Under established practice, the Security Council conducts informal straw polls before formally recommending a candidate. Any of the five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States — can block a candidate through the use of a veto.

Sall’s entry into the race comes amid renewed discussions about regional representation at the helm of the United Nations, with Africa yet to produce a Secretary-General since the organization’s founding in 1945.

The selection process is expected to intensify in the coming months as additional nominations are submitted and informal consultations among member states advance.