Macky Sall UN SG campaign, field expands

In mid‑July 2026 former Senegalese president Macky Sall landed in Dakar before heading to the United Nations Secretary‑General race, sparking protests from civil‑society groups over alleged political violence during his 2021‑2024 tenure. His tour continued with a stop in Bogotá, where he met Colombian President Gustavo Petro to discuss multilateralism ahead of the UN Security Council’s secret ballot on 30 July. Senegal formally endorsed his candidacy on 20 July, drawing criticism from families of political martyrs.

On 25 July Sall addressed the UN General Assembly in New York, defending his bid and warning of bureaucratic fatigue while urging reforms. Amnesty International warned that his past governance raised concerns about the instrumentalisation of justice against political opponents, intensifying domestic scrutiny.

The same day Uganda announced former UN deputy secretary‑general Olara Otunnu as its candidate, the seventh contender alongside Michelle Bachelet, María Fernanda Espinosa, Rafael Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan and Carolyn Rodrigues‑Birkett, underscoring a broadening field ahead of the Security Council vote.