Gambiaj.com – (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) – Macky Sall, former president of Senegal, has withdrawn his candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations, citing the emergence of a consensus candidate and informal voting results favouring a nominee from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Sall announced his decision in a statement published on October 17, a day after an informal vote by the UN Security Council as part of the selection process for the UN’s next secretary-general.
He said the decision followed consultations with Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who currently chairs the African Union, and Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, the current chair of ECOWAS.
Sall said he had decided to withdraw his candidacy “with a deep sense of responsibility”, with the aim of contributing to the emergence of a consensus candidate within the Security Council.
Informal Votes Favour Latin America And Caribbean
According to Sall, the various informal ballots conducted since the beginning of the selection process had pointed towards a candidate from the Latin America and Caribbean region, with the possibility that the eventual nominee could be a woman.
“I withdraw my candidacy, but remain fully committed to serving the ideals that inspired it,” Sall said.
He thanked Ndayishimiye for sponsoring his candidacy and Faye for supporting it, as well as members of the Security Council who voted for him during the process.
Sall had presented his candidacy on the basis of his nearly four decades of experience in public life, saying he wanted to place that experience at the service of the United Nations.
Africa’s Role In Global Governance
In his statement, Sall said the decision came at a time when the international system was facing growing challenges, including conflicts, geopolitical rivalries, fragmentation and unprecedented economic and financial pressures.
He argued that the United Nations needed “a profound transformation of its methods of work and functioning” to respond effectively to those challenges.
Sall also stressed the importance of Africa maintaining a strong voice in global governance.
He said Africa was “at the heart of peace, security and development issues” and should continue working to secure the place it deserves in international decision-making.
Sall said he would remain committed to the ideals that motivated his candidacy, including peace, security, economic and social development, international cooperation and dialogue among nations.
He concluded by wishing “full success to the person who will be called upon to exercise the high responsibilities of Secretary-General of the United Nations.”
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