African Union Fails to Back Macky Sall’s UN Bid After 20 States Object

Written by: Seringe ST Touray

The African Union Commission has failed to adopt a proposal to endorse Macky Sall as Africa’s candidate for United Nations Secretary-General, after a significant number of member states objected during a formal decision process.

In an official note verbale issued today from Addis Ababa, the Commission confirmed that “twenty (20) Member States have broken the silence to the adoption of the draft decision,” referring to the African Union’s silence procedure, where a proposal is approved unless objections are raised by a set deadline.

As a result, the Commission stated that “the circulated draft decision on UN Secretary General candidacy of H.E Macky Sall… has not been adopted,” effectively halting efforts to secure a unified African endorsement for the former Senegalese leader.

In a further sign of the fragility surrounding his bid, Sall’s candidacy had recently been filed by Burundi rather than his own country, Senegal, which would traditionally be expected to lead such a nomination, raising questions about the level of backing he commands at home.

Under African Union procedures, breaking the silence signals formal opposition, and the scale of objections, involving at least 20 member states, points to a broad lack of agreement rather than isolated dissent.