UN: Macky Sall withdraws his candidacy for secretary-general

Macky Sall announced on October 17, 2026, that he was withdrawing his candidacy for United Nations secretary-general. The former Senegalese president formalized the decision in a statement issued in Marrakech, the day after an informal Security Council vote on candidates to succeed António Guterres. He thanked Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who sponsored his candidacy, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, the Security Council members who supported him, and his campaign team. Sall said he remained committed to peace, security, development, and international cooperation.