A new chapter is unfolding in Senegalese diplomacy. Former President of Senegal Macky Sall has officially been endorsed by his country in the race for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN). His candidacy is gaining momentum and is already attracting significant attention on the international stage.
According to an official statement from Senegal’s Ministry of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye received Macky Sall at the Presidential Palace to discuss his international bid. Following their meeting, the Senegalese authorities announced their full support for his candidacy.
Beyond a political endorsement, Dakar intends to mobilize its entire diplomatic network to rally support among UN member states. The government, diplomatic missions, and all key national stakeholders have been called upon to promote what is being presented not only as Senegal’s candidacy, but also as an opportunity to strengthen Africa’s voice in global governance.
At the same time, Macky Sall is actively pursuing his international campaign. On July 20, 2026, he announced that he had held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The discussions focused on the major challenges facing the United Nations, including the reform of multilateralism, the management of international crises, and the future of global governance.
The meeting with Russia’s top diplomat reflects Macky Sall’s strategy of securing the backing of major world powers and key diplomatic blocs. In an election where the UN Security Council plays a decisive role, every endorsement carries considerable weight.
If successful, Macky Sall’s election would mark a historic milestone. No former Senegalese president has ever led the United Nations. More broadly, his candidacy has reignited hopes across Africa of seeing one of the continent’s leaders head the world’s foremost international organization at a time when calls for reforming global governance are growing louder.
The diplomatic contest has only just begun, but one thing is already clear: Senegal has made Macky Sall’s candidacy a national priority and is determined to campaign vigorously across the globe. The coming months will be crucial in determining how much international support his bid can attract and what role Africa may ultimately play in this high-stakes race.
