
Macky Sall, a candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations, is scheduled to deliver his first official speech before the General Assembly this Wednesday. This address is part of the selection process for the UN's top leadership, with several individuals vying to succeed the current head of the organization. However, according to information from La Neice Collins, communications officer for the President of the UN General Assembly, the former President of Senegal has declined to meet with the international press after his speech. This decision deviates from the usual procedure for candidates, who typically answer media questions following their presentations. In contrast, other official candidates, including Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Grossi, and Rebeca Grynspan, have confirmed their participation in press exchanges, which are included in the validated program. Macky Sall's speech is a significant step in his campaign to lead the United Nations, marking his first official address to member states in New York to present his vision and priorities for international issues. His choice not to participate in the press conference has drawn attention, particularly in a process where transparency and media interaction are considered central.
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Must ReadApproximately 7,900 migrants died or were reported missing on global migratory routes last year, according to a count released by the UN on Tuesday. This figure is lower than the record 9,200 recorded in 2024. In total, over 80,000 migrants have died or gone missing since the International Organization for Migration IOM began collecting this data in 2014. The IOM stated in its annual report that the nearly 8,000 deaths recorded in 2025 signify a continuing and worsening global failure to end these preventable deaths. Since the beginning of this year, the IOM has already registered 1,723 people dead or missing on migratory routes. According to the IOM, the decrease recorded last year is partly linked to a real reduction in the number of people attempting to use irregular and dangerous migratory routes, particularly on the American continent. However, it is also explained by financial restrictions imposed on humanitarian actors who document migrant deaths on major migration routes, the Geneva-based organization added.
Must ReadIranian state television announced on Tuesday that no delegation from the country had yet departed for Pakistan to participate in talks with the United States, ahead of the truce's expiration between the two adversaries. "So far, no Iranian delegation has left for Islamabad, Pakistan, whether it be a main or secondary delegation," state television affirmed, refuting reports claiming the contrary. The truce between Iran and the United States, which came into effect on April 8, is set to conclude "Wednesday evening, American time," according to Donald Trump. While talks between Washington and Tehran remain uncertain, an American delegation is traveling to Pakistan this Tuesday to try and restart negotiations. Donald Trump stated that the ceasefire expires Wednesday evening. Diplomatic tensions remain high in the Middle East, within a continuously unstable regional context.
Must ReadFormer Senegalese President Macky Sall is engaged in strategic discussions in Manhattan, near the United Nations headquarters, as part of his campaign for international office. He is refining his message with a small team, aiming to highlight his track record as a "leadership asset" in addressing global crises. Sall's associates state he is not adopting a repentant stance but rather presenting himself as an experienced figure capable of fostering international stability. During meetings with non-governmental organizations, the issue of victims from political protests was raised. When confronted with the figure of "80 deaths," Sall responded, "We will know who is who," referencing the repeal of the amnesty law. The rights of LGBTQ+ individuals were also discussed, with Sall advocating for "human dignity" while reaffirming a position of cultural sovereignty, citing a 2013 discussion with former US President Barack Obama. The current government of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has not been involved in these diplomatic efforts, which is seen as a lack of institutional support for Sall's candidacy. Sall is relying on international backing, including from certain African heads of state like Burundi, which reportedly introduced his candidacy, to bolster his global legitimacy. This strategy aims to establish him as an African candidate beyond the Senegalese national context. Sall's diplomatic efforts in New York are a preparatory step before his anticipated official address to the
Must ReadDuring the 10th Dakar Forum on Peace and Security, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye delivered a speech emphasizing the need for African sovereignty in both security and economic matters. He stated that Africa should no longer be a "playground for great powers" and must actively participate in global decisions that directly affect the continent. President Faye criticized Africa's dependence on external decisions for its security agenda, priorities, and strategic space. He acknowledged the efforts of regional institutions like the African Union and ECOWAS in crisis management and peacekeeping but highlighted limitations in coordination and financing. Economically, he advocated for local transformation of African resources to create added value, moving away from models based on raw material export. His vision includes "extracting locally, transforming locally, and selling at a fair price" to foster a more autonomous and equitable economy. He proposed strengthening peace mechanisms, regional cooperation, youth investment, industrialization, and developing African value chains, alongside reinforcing early warning systems and defense capabilities in conjunction with the United Nations. Other African leaders, including Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio and Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Al Ghazouani, also spoke at the forum, stressing the importance of youth, women, and infrastructure for the continent's development.