Sierra Leone's Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, has expressed his support for Amina J. Mohammed to become the next United Nations Secretary-General. In a social media post, Sengeh praised Mohammed's leadership, describing her as one of his strongest pillars during his eight years of work at the United Nations. He highlighted her role in creating, championing, and leading several global initiatives.
Sengeh and Mohammed recently appeared together at a United Nations event on artificial intelligence and human development during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The event focused on the implications of artificial intelligence for human development, culture, and society. Mohammed has been serving as UN Deputy Secretary-General since February 2017 and has played a crucial role in leading global initiatives.
Amina Mohammed, a Nigerian national, has had an extensive career in public service. Before joining the UN leadership team, she served as Nigeria's Minister of Environment and previously worked as a Special Adviser to former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on post-2015 development planning. Her contributions to the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals are notable.
Despite Sengeh's endorsement, Mohammed has publicly stated that she is not seeking the UN Secretary-General position. During a UN press conference on July 7, 2026, she was asked about reports linking her to the position and responded that she was "not a candidate" and had no intention of pursuing the job. She also expressed hope that the next Secretary-General would be a woman from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Sengeh's endorsement of Mohammed was based on his experience working with her at the UN. He described her approach to leadership as carrying out her work "with grace and kindness while welcoming others in." He believes that if Mohammed were to be interested in the position, the world should unanimously nominate her to be the UN Secretary-General.
The UN Office for Partnerships listed both Sengeh and Mohammed among speakers at the September 23 event. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration between stakeholders to address the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence. Mohammed's leadership and experience make her a strong candidate, according to Sengeh.
While Mohammed may not be pursuing the UN Secretary-General position, her contributions to global development and her leadership experience make her a notable figure. Sengeh's endorsement highlights her achievements and commitment to creating positive change. The UN continues to benefit from her expertise and leadership.
Key points
- Sengeh praises Mohammed's leadership and global initiatives.
- Mohammed has stated she is not seeking the UN Secretary-General position.
- Sengeh and Mohammed have collaborated on various global initiatives.
