Former Senegalese President Withdraws Candidacy for UN Secretary-General
The former Senegalese President announced his withdrawal from the race for UN Secretary-General following unofficial voting results.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Algiers, Oct 17 (KUNA) -- Former Senegalese President Macky Sall announced on Saturday the withdrawal of his candidacy for the position of UN Secretary-General, a day after the UN Security Council held an informal vote on candidates to succeed current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term ends on December 31, 2026.
In an official statement, Sall said the decision followed consultations with Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who currently holds the presidency of the African Union, and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who holds the current rotating presidency of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Sall added that he made the decision to withdraw out of a deep sense of responsibility, hoping to contribute to reaching a consensus candidate within the Security Council. He noted that the results of the voting rounds held since the beginning of the selection process for the Secretary-General indicated a preference for a candidate from Latin America and the Caribbean, and possibly a woman.
He affirmed that his primary motivation for running was his desire to place his experience, gained over nearly four decades in public life, at the service of the United Nations.
The former Senegalese president stressed that withdrawing his candidacy did not mean abandoning the principles that drove him to enter the race, namely peace and security, economic and social development, international cooperation, and dialogue among civilizations.
Sall received only five votes in favor and ten against in the Security Council voting results. (End) M.R. / A.M.S.
