Ousmane Sonko's remarks on Donald Trump unexpectedly aid Macky Sall's UN candidacy
via SeneNews2 min read
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko's recent statements regarding former US President Donald Trump are generating unexpected reactions within diplomatic circles concerning Macky Sall's candidacy for United Nations Secretary-General. During a debate with Pascal Boniface, Sonko described Trump as "not a man of peace," referencing controversial actions attributed to the United States internationally. This stance has been interpreted by some of Macky Sall's supporters as beneficial to his bid. According to reports, those close to Macky Sall believe that the current Senegalese government's refusal to support him could be seen favorably by Americans, suggesting he is not aligned with their perceived adversaries. However, Macky Sall's associates remain cautious about Washington's stance, citing Donald Trump's unpredictable nature and fluctuating opinions, which makes anticipating the US vote in the Security Council difficult. Despite these uncertainties, the former president's campaign expresses optimism as crucial deadlines approach. Ahead of his hearing before UN Security Council members in New York, the campaign's momentum is considered positive. Macky Sall has reportedly held individual, cordial meetings with representatives from member countries. His supporters also note the absence of direct criticism regarding his record as President of Senegal during these diplomatic encounters, contrasting with the strong debate and contestation surrounding his candidacy within Senegal's national
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Must ReadSenegal has officially announced its support for the candidacy of former President Macky Sall for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations. This decision was communicated on Monday via a statement from the Ministry of African Integration, Foreign Affairs, and Senegalese Abroad. The announcement follows a meeting on Friday, July 17, 2026, between President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Macky Sall at the Presidential Palace, where the former head of state presented his candidacy. The official document states that the discussions were held in a cordial and courteous atmosphere, reflecting President Faye's commitment to dialogue, state continuity, and national interests. Following the meeting, President Faye decided to offer Senegal's full support to his predecessor's candidacy. He has instructed the government and Senegal's diplomatic network to actively promote this candidacy among UN member states. President Faye also called upon all national stakeholders to support this candidacy, which is now presented as Senegal's bid, aimed at serving Africa and fostering more effective multilateralism.
Donald Trump, attending the 2026 World Cup final in New York, expressed his satisfaction with the tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He witnessed Spain's victory over Argentina 1-0 at MetLife Stadium and participated in the medal and trophy ceremony alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Trump praised the event as one of the greatest sporting spectacles ever organized, commending FIFA and its president for their work and highlighting how the competition showcased the United States to global visitors. He also revealed his intention to submit a new bid for the United States to host a future World Cup, planning discussions with Gianni Infantino to bring the prestigious football competition back to the country. Trump admitted he had underestimated the tournament's popularity, having initially worried about stadium attendance, but these concerns were dispelled by the high turnout throughout the event. Despite the positive assessment from organizers, the 2026 World Cup faced criticism regarding excessive security measures, match schedules, controversial referee decisions, hydration breaks due to heat, and high ticket prices. Some delegations also raised concerns about the organization. Nevertheless, FIFA and the United States consider this edition a success and are already looking to host another World Cup in the coming years.
The latest FIFA rankings, released after the 2026 World Cup, show significant changes for several national teams. Spain has climbed to the number one position, displacing Argentina, which is now second. France remains in third place, and England holds fourth. Brazil moved up one spot to fifth, while Portugal dropped two places to seventh. Belgium and the Netherlands swapped positions, with Belgium now eighth and the Netherlands ninth. In Africa, Morocco advanced one place to sixth, solidifying its status as the top African team following a strong performance that saw them reach the quarterfinals. Conversely, Senegal experienced a notable decline, falling three places to 18th, putting them outside the top 15 globally. This drop is attributed to their performance in the North American World Cup, which did not meet expectations. Mexico, a co-host, made a significant jump of four places, re-entering the top 10 at tenth. Other notable movements include Colombia gaining two places, while Germany and Croatia each fell two spots. Switzerland saw one of the biggest gains, moving up five places to 14th, just ahead of Italy, which dropped three places to 15th. The most dramatic rise was Norway, which surged twelve places to 19th, entering the top 20. Uruguay, on the other hand, fell four places to 20th. For Senegal, this decline in the rankings serves as a warning ahead of upcoming continental competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations.