Lead

The first straw poll in the UN Security Council's race to succeed António Guterres as secretary-general has left African candidates Macky Sall and Olara Otunnu struggling for support, while Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan emerges as the current frontrunner.

In the informal, non-binding ballot, former Senegalese President Macky Sall received six votes in favour, seven against and two abstentions, as reported by Africa News. Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu, a late entrant to the race, secured just two votes in favour, five against and eight abstentions. By contrast, Rebeca Grynspan, who heads the UN Conference on Trade and Development, received 10 votes in favour, one against and four abstentions.

The poll is part of a longer selection process. The Security Council holds a series of confidential straw polls to test support for candidates, with members voting to "encourage", "discourage" or express "no opinion" on each contender, according to RFI — English. Later rounds use colour-coded ballots to reveal whether any of the five permanent members intend to exercise their veto. The first straw poll took place on 30 July, with further rounds expected throughout August and potentially into September and October until a single candidate secures broad support without a permanent-member veto. The Security Council will then formally recommend one candidate to the General Assembly, which is expected to confirm the appointment before the end of the year — ahead of the new secretary-general taking office on 1 January 2027. António Guterres's successor is expected to be named in October.

Coverage comparison

Africa News framed the first straw poll results as a sign of trouble for Sall's bid, noting that the poll is not binding and that several more rounds will take place before the final ballot in the autumn. The outlet highlighted Sall's struggle to win support despite Senegal's endorsement, and pointed to Grynspan as the widely seen frontrunner.

RFI — English took a broader analytical angle, focusing on the overall weakness of the African candidates' chances. The piece quoted Carlos Lopes, a law professor in South Africa and former executive secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, who argued that the continent's chances of securing the post this year are low due to regional rotation and other factors. RFI also reported that the first vote "only confirmed the weakness of Sall's candidacy" and noted that the official backing from Senegal's President Bassirou Faye "came late and failed to restore institutional coherence" because Senegal remains deeply divided over Sall's legacy.

Both outlets agreed on the mechanics of the selection process and on the central role of the Security Council. They also concurred that the UN has made no secret of wanting a woman for its next secretary-general, and that Grynspan leads a field that includes several female candidates.

Key claims

  • In the first straw poll on 30 July, Macky Sall received six votes in favour, seven against and two abstentions; Olara Otunnu received two in favour, five against and eight abstentions; Rebeca Grynspan received 10 in favour, one against and four abstentions. These figures were reported by Africa News.
  • The selection process will continue with an unspecified number of straw polls until one candidate secures nine votes without a veto from any of the five permanent members (United States, Britain, China, France and Russia), according to Africa News.
  • The first straw poll took place on 30 July, with further rounds expected throughout August and potentially into September and October, as reported by RFI — English.
  • Carlos Lopes believes the continent's chances of securing the post are low due to regional rotation and other factors, according to RFI — English.
  • Macky Sall's candidacy was poorly received by Senegalese citizens due to corruption and embezzlement allegations, according to RFI — English.
  • Olara Otunnu's late entry into the race and his difficult-to-decipher political track record may hinder his chances, according to RFI — English.
  • Three female candidates — Rebeca Grynspan, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Michelle Bachelet — are in the running, as reported by both Africa News and RFI — English.
  • The UN has made no secret of wanting a woman for its next Secretary-General, as reported by Africa News.

Perspectives

Carlos Lopes (academic and former UN official, quoted by RFI — English): The continent's chances of securing the post are low due to regional rotation and other factors; the first vote confirmed the weakness of Sall's candidacy, and Senegal remains deeply divided over his legacy.