Macky Sall announced his withdrawal from the United Nations secretary-general race on Saturday, 17 October 2026. This decision follows an informal Security Council vote held on 16 October 2026, where he received five votes in favor and 10 against. Three of the 10 votes cast against his candidacy came from permanent members of the Security Council.
Macky Sall stated, "Following the informal vote of 16 October and after consultations with President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, the current Chairperson of the African Union, and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, the current Chairperson of ECOWAS, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy for the position of United Nations Secretary-General."
Nomination and Campaign Background
Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye formally nominated Macky Sall for the United Nations secretary-general position in March 2026. This nomination initiated the campaign for the former Senegalese leader to succeed incumbent António Guterres. Supporters of the bid initially sought to build a coalition across the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States to secure the necessary backing for the role. Before the formal submission by the Burundi head of state, potential candidates including Rebeca Grynspan, Rafael Grossi, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Olara Otunnu, María Fernanda Espinosa, Ivonne A-Baki, and Michelle Bachelet faced speculation regarding their own interest in the post. The candidacy of Macky Sall remained the primary focus for regional leaders until the October voting process concluded.
Current State of Race
Rebeca Grynspan secured nine votes in favour, five against, and one abstention during the informal Security Council vote held on 16 October 2026. Rafael Grossi and Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett each received eight votes in favour during the same balloting process. Six candidates remain in the race for United Nations secretary-general following the withdrawal of Macky Sall.
Leadership Transition Timeline
António Guterres holds the position of United Nations secretary-general until his current term concludes on 31 December 2026. This date marks the final day of his leadership at the organization. The upcoming transition follows the formal selection process involving candidates from across the globe. Diplomats at the United Nations now focus on the remaining contenders to identify a successor for the role. The outcome of the ongoing selection process will determine who takes over the administrative responsibilities of the office starting 1 January 2027. All member states continue to evaluate the field as the end of the year approaches.