The fifteen members of the Security Council hold their first straw polls at the end of July, and with them the race for the next UN Secretary-General enters its decisive phase. The town hall brought the six candidates before the member states; the process moves to the Council. Through these informal, secret ballots, the Council gauges, candidate by candidate, the support each contender commands to succeed António Guterres: every member marks "encourage", "discourage" or "no opinion".

At the town hall, President Macky Sall set out a clear vision before delegations and UN staff as well as civil society. He wants an impartial United Nations committed to preventive diplomacy and able to restore trust between member states of every size. His first task, should he be called to the office, would be to rebuild that trust and place the Organisation back at the heart of resolving crises.

The only African candidate in the race, President Macky Sall entered the contest on 2 March 2026 as Burundi's nominee. Since 20 July, he has carried Senegal's official candidacy; in the words of the communiqué, the Government and the country's entire diplomatic network are mobilised behind it. Africa has not held the office of Secretary-General since Kofi Annan; this candidacy would reopen that prospect, in the service of all members.

Before the fifteen, the candidate points to twelve years as Head of State and the chairmanship of the African Union in 2022. He spoke for the continent in the health crisis as in the food and energy crises. This practice of multilateral negotiation underpins a candidacy in the service of a more effective United Nations.

The race remains open. International media continue to cite several candidates with no clear front-runner, which gives the Council's straw polls their full weight. They will reveal the true hierarchy before the chosen candidate is sent to the General Assembly for formal appointment. The next Secretary-General's term begins on 1 January 2027.

Six candidacies have been submitted to date, and every capital will follow the week ahead closely.

Africa at its heart, the world in its sights.

Learn more: www.mackysall.net