Ugandan Diplomat Enters UN Leadership Race

Uganda’s Olara Otunnu has entered the race to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), bringing the number of candidates seeking to replace outgoing UN chief António Guterres to seven.

The United Nations informed member states on Saturday that Otunnu’s candidacy had been formally submitted by the Ugandan government. The 75-year-old diplomat and former opposition presidential candidate brings decades of experience in international affairs, including a senior role within the UN system.

Otunnu served as UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict from 1997 to 2005 during the tenure of former Secretary-General Kofi Annan. In that role, he worked on issues affecting children caught in armed conflicts around the world.

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Before his UN appointment, Otunnu served as Uganda’s ambassador to the United Nations and briefly held the position of foreign minister. He later returned to domestic politics, contesting Uganda’s 2011 presidential election as the candidate of the opposition Uganda People’s Congress. He lost to President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986.

Uganda’s Olara Otunnu has entered the race to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN). Credit: Getty Images

Otunnu joins a competitive field that includes Chile’s Michelle Bachelet, Ecuador’s Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan, Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Senegal’s Macky Sall.

The seven candidates are seeking to succeed Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31. The selection process has already begun, with the six candidates who were in the race before Otunnu taking part in a televised debate on Thursday.

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The UN Security Council will conduct its first closed-door straw poll on July 30, allowing its 15 members to indicate their preferred candidates anonymously. Further rounds of voting will continue until one candidate secures at least nine votes and avoids a veto from any of the five permanent members — the United States, United Kingdom, China, France and Russia.

Once selected by the Security Council, the nominee will be presented to the UN General Assembly for formal appointment.

The next Secretary-General will assume office on January 1, 2027, taking responsibility for leading the world body through major global challenges, including conflicts, humanitarian crises and international cooperation efforts.

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Tope Oke

Temitope is a storyteller driven by a passion for the intricate world of geopolitics, the raw beauty of wildlife, and the dynamic spirit of sports. As both a writer and editor, he excels at crafting insightful and impactful narratives that not only inform but also inspire and advocate for positive change. Through his work, he aims to shed light on complex issues, celebrate diverse perspectives, and encourage readers to engage with the world around them in a more meaningful way.