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Uganda nominates Olara Otunnu for UN Secretary-General, drawing criticism from Macky Sall's ally
via SeneNews2 min read
Uganda has officially nominated former diplomat Olara Otunnu as a candidate for UN Secretary-General, joining former Senegalese President Macky Sall in the race to succeed Ant贸nio Guterres. This nomination, announced in a joint letter dated July 25, 2026, to UN member states, follows Macky Sall's recent hearing before the General Assembly. Madiambal Diagne, a journalist and close associate of the former Senegalese head of state, criticized Uganda's move, calling it a "dirty trick" that has caused dismay in African diplomatic circles. Diagne expressed his disappointment, stating that "Africa is tearing itself apart" despite what he described as Macky Sall's strong performance during the candidates' oral presentations. Olara Otunnu brings extensive diplomatic experience, having served as Uganda's Permanent Representative to the UN, Assistant Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also chaired the International Peace Academy, now the International Peace Institute. His candidacy highlights his experience, political acumen, and ability to build consensus. Otunnu's entry brings the total number of declared candidates to seven, including Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Grossi, and Rebeca Grynspan. The informal rotation of the Secretary-General position among global regions traditionally favors a Latin American or Caribbean candidate this time, potentially complicating the prospects for both African candidates. The Security Council is schedul
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
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