“An opportunity for Macky Sall”: Deadlock in the UN appointment process

A closed-door straw poll by the UN Security Council found that all seven candidates for secretary-general had received at least one negative indication from a permanent member. Rebeca Grynspan received nine positive and five negative indications, including two from permanent members; Rafael Grossi received eight positive and six negative indications, including two from permanent members. The deadlock could lead to a new round of nominations and create an opening for former Senegalese president Macky Sall, whose name has been discussed as a possible successor to António Guterres. The first poll does not, however, show that Sall already has the backing of major powers.