Olara Otunnu increases support in UN Secretary-General straw poll

Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu has increased his standing in the race for United Nations Secretary-General following the second informal Security Council straw poll held on August 21. Otunnu, a former UN Under-Secretary-General and Ugandan foreign minister, received five ‘encourage’ votes, doubling his support from the previous poll in July.

Despite the progress, the competition remains intense. Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett currently leads the field with eight ‘encourage’ votes. Otunnu, 75, is campaigning on a platform of institutional reform, moral renewal, and strengthening the UN’s ability to address global crises such as climate change and conflict prevention.

If elected, Otunnu would be the first Ugandan to hold the position of Secretary-General. The informal straw polls are utilized by Security Council members to evaluate the viability of candidates during the selection process.