Senegal’s Macky Sall Withdraws From UN Secretary-General Race

Former Senegalese President Macky Sall has withdrawn his candidacy to become the next United Nations secretary-general, saying he hopes to help secure agreement around a consensus candidate. His announcement followed an informal Security Council straw poll in which all seven contenders received at least one veto. Costa Rica’s Rebecca Grynspan remained the frontrunner after the latest round, with seven supportive votes, although she also faced five discouraging votes, including two from permanent members. Candidates need at least nine supportive votes from the council’s 15 members, while opposition from any of its five permanent members—the United States, United Kingdom, France, China, or Russia—can effectively block a nomination. Sall’s withdrawal leaves Uganda’s Olara Otunnu as the only African contender.