Macky Sall's UN hearing for Secretary-General candidacy: schedule, participants, and broadcast details
via SeneNews5 min read
Former President Macky Sall is undergoing a hearing at the United Nations headquarters in New York today, April 22, 2026, as part of his candidacy to succeed António Guterres as Secretary-General. This session is a key part of the selection process and follows a series of interactive dialogues with other candidates. Sall's hearing is scheduled from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM in New York, which corresponds to 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM in Dakar and 9:00 PM to midnight in Paris. The format includes an initial statement from Sall outlining his vision for the UN and priorities for the 2027-2032 mandate, followed by a question-and-answer session with representatives from the 193 member states. Questions from civil society, submitted via video or in writing, will also be included. The session is presided over by Annalena Baerbock, in charge of the 80th session of the General Assembly. Ambassadors from member states are actively participating to evaluate candidates' diplomatic skills and mediation capabilities. Sall's hearing follows that of Rebeca Grynspan, with Michelle Bachelet and Rafael Grossi having been heard earlier in the week. Expected topics include Security Council reform, a demand from several African countries, development financing, a central theme during Sall's leadership of the African Union, and questions related to human rights and his record in Senegal. The hearing is broadcast live on UN WebTV and, while not a final vote, is considered a crucial step in the selection process.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
A video circulating widely on social media shows the New York subway adorned with the national colors of Senegal, generating excitement among supporters as the 2026 World Cup approaches. The display, which features only the Senegalese flag, has led to questions from some internet users about whether Senegal is the only country being highlighted in this manner. As of now, there is no official information confirming the exact context of this decoration.
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Must ReadOusmane Sonko's departure from the Senegalese government, following a political break with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, marks a significant shift in the management of public debt. This new government configuration, led by Minister Cheikh Diba, could facilitate a long-awaited debt restructuring. Previously, the idea of restructuring or rescheduling public debt was a politically sensitive topic, often implicitly dismissed in official discourse. However, the new government, in place since June 1, appears to be redefining the economic team's scope of action. Minister of Economy, Finance, and Planning, Cheikh Diba, is now central to future negotiations with international lenders. His expanded portfolio includes budgetary policy, economic planning, and relations with international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund IMF. Relations between Dakar and the IMF have deteriorated since former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko's statements in September 2024, when he accused the previous regime of having "concealed" part of the public debt with the international institution's complicity. Despite ongoing technical discussions, the climate of trust has worsened, with the IMF maintaining a program.