On March 2, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly received the candidacy of Macky Sall. He served as President of Senegal from 2012 to 2024. Sall is now seeking the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Burundi submitted his candidacy that morning. La Neice Collins confirmed the submission. The decision surprised many observers because candidates are usually nominated by their own countries.
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Senegal Did Not Respond to Sall’s Request
The magazine Jeune Afrique reported that Sall wrote to Bassirou Diomaye Faye in early February 2026. He asked the Senegalese government to support his bid for the UN leadership.
However, President Faye did not respond to the request. Analysts believe political tensions may explain the silence.
Political Disputes With the Ruling Party
Relations between Sall and Senegal’s ruling party remain tense. The party, African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF), has criticized Sall in recent years.
The tensions increased when Ousmane Sonko, the party’s leader, was jailed. Sonko said the charges against him were politically motivated.
PASTEF also accuses Sall of leaving secret public debts during his presidency. Party officials say they may take legal action against him, but details remain unclear.
Questions Over African Union Process
Reports show that Sall’s name did not appear on the list of candidates proposed by the African Union. The AU presented that list during its summit in February 2026.
Journalist and political analyst Medhi Ba said the nomination likely came directly from Évariste Ndayishimiye. Ndayishimiye also serves as the current Chairperson of the African Union. According to Ba, the decision may not have followed the usual AU consultation process.
Other Candidates and Election Timeline
Several international figures have already joined the race. They include Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Grossi, and Rebeca Grynspan.
The deadline for submitting candidates is April 1, 2026. The current UN chief, António Guterres, will leave office on December 31, 2026. The next Secretary-General will start the job on January 1, 2027.
Sall says he is ready to lead the United Nations. He promises to work with member states to strengthen unity and address global challenges.
