Secretary General of the United Nations: Macky Sall withdraws his candidacy

The former President of the Republic of Senegal, Macky Sall, announced on Saturday the withdrawal of his candidacy for the post of Secretary General of the United Nations. The information was given through a press release.

The predecessor of the head of state, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, will no longer be in the race for the post of Secretary General of the United Nations. Macky Sall decided on Saturday to withdraw his candidacy.

“At the end of the informal vote of October 16, 2026 for the election to the post of Secretary General of the United Nations, and after consultations with Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, current President of the African Union, and Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal, current President of ECOWAS, I decided to withdraw my candidacy for the said position,” he wrote in a press release.

In reality, the former President of the Republic of Senegal explains that he took this decision with a “deep sense of responsibility”, hoping to contribute to the emergence of a consensual candidacy within the Security Council. But also, keeping in mind that since the beginning of the process, the results of the various test votes indicate a choice in favor of a candidate from the Latin American and Caribbean region, and possibly female.

Also read: UN General Secretariat: President BD Faye renews his support for the candidacy of Macky Sall

“For my part, my candidacy was essentially motivated by the desire to put my experience of nearly forty years of public life at the service of the United Nations. I would like to thank President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who sponsored my candidacy, and President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, who supported it,” he added.

While the world remains confronted with the multiplication of conflicts, the worsening of geopolitical rivalries, the fragmentation of the international order and unprecedented economic and financial challenges, Macky Sall remains convinced that the United Nations must initiate a profound transformation of its working methods and their functioning.

And, according to him, Africa, which is at the heart of peace, security and development issues, must also continue to make its voice heard and continue its efforts in order to occupy its rightful place in global governance.

“I am withdrawing my candidacy, but remain fully committed to serving the ideals that inspired it: peace, security, economic and social development, international cooperation and dialogue between nations. I wish every success to the person who will be called upon to exercise the high responsibilities of Secretary-General of the United Nations,” he concluded.

Mariama DIEME