Former Senegalese President Macky Sall made a crucial address to the UN Security Council on September 29, 2026, in his bid to succeed António Guterres as Secretary-General of the United Nations. This marks the fourth and final straw poll, where Sall will make his last pitch to the 15 members of the Security Council. His campaign focuses on refounding multilateralism and global governance, with an emphasis on Africa's integration and reform of the international financial architecture.
Macky Sall's candidacy is officially supported by the Senegalese government, as reaffirmed by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the General Assembly. Sall has positioned himself as a champion of African interests and a proponent of deep reforms to the global financial system in the face of systemic crises. His address to the Security Council aims to convince members of his vision and suitability for the role.
The stakes are high for Sall, as he seeks to reverse a downward trend in his previous straw poll performances. In the first informal vote on July 30, he secured 6 favorable votes against 7 unfavorable ones. The second round yielded the same result, but his support dwindled to 5 favorable votes against 9 unfavorable ones in the third vote on September 18. To succeed, Sall must secure at least 9 votes from the Security Council members without facing a veto from any of the five permanent members.
The UN Security Council consists of 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power: the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom. Sall's ability to garner support from a majority of the council, while avoiding a veto, will be crucial in determining his chances of becoming the next Secretary-General.
Following his address, the Security Council will hold closed-door deliberations to assess Sall's performance and determine if it will be enough to revitalize his candidacy. The outcome will be a significant indicator of his prospects for succeeding António Guterres, whose term is set to expire.
Macky Sall's campaign has been marked by his commitment to enhancing Africa's representation and influence within the UN. His vision for reforming the international financial architecture aligns with the interests of many developing countries. However, his success will depend on his ability to build consensus among the Security Council members.
The election of the next UN Secretary-General is a critical process that requires broad support from the UN membership. The Security Council's recommendation will be submitted to the UN General Assembly for final approval. As the process unfolds, Macky Sall's determination and diplomatic efforts will be closely watched by the international community.
Key points
- Macky Sall must secure at least 9 votes from the Security Council members without facing a veto from any of the five permanent members.
