Former Senegalese President Macky Sall is bidding to succeed UN Secretary-General António Guterres, becoming Africa’s only declared candidate as the selection process gathers pace. If chosen, Sall would become the first African to lead the United Nations since Kofi Annan left office in 2006 and only the third African Secretary-General in the organization’s history after Annan and Egypt’s Boutros Boutros-Ghali. Sall’s win would restore continental representation and boost Africa’s leverage in global governance debates, from peacekeeping to climate finance. However, he faces strong competition from candidates from Latin America, a region many diplomats believe is due to hold the post. With its 54 member states forming the UN’s largest regional voting bloc, Africa’s influence keeps growing. However, this election will test the continent’s ability to translate its demographic and diplomatic weight into leadership.
Business Insider Africa