Macky Sall withdraws UN bid: Seydi Gassama denounces a “crushing failure”

After Macky Sall announced his withdrawal from the race for UN secretary-general, Seydi Gassama, executive director of Amnesty International Senegal, said the former president knew he would not receive African Union support. Gassama recalled the AU’s commitment to regional rotation and said Sall’s record on human rights, democratic governance and financial management was a major obstacle. If confirmed, the withdrawal would be a “crushing failure” for Sall and the states that backed him, he said. Gassama praised efforts by victims of the former regime and their supporters, saying the episode should warn leaders who violate rights and good-governance principles.