Uganda Nominates Veteran Diplomat Olara Otunnu for UN Secretary-General

Uganda has officially nominated Olara Otunnu, a seasoned diplomat and former UN Under-Secretary-General, for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. At 75 years old, Otunnu is now the seventh candidate vying to lead the international body once António Guterres concludes his second term. The nomination, conveyed through a letter from Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, highlights Otunnu’s extensive experience in international diplomacy and public service.

Ambassador Ayebare emphasized Otunnu’s over four decades of leadership within the UN system and the global community. His career includes significant roles such as Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the UN, President of the Security Council, Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the UN’s first Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. The nomination asserts that Otunnu possesses the essential experience, statesmanship, and consensus-building skills required for the UN’s top post.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed confidence in Otunnu’s ability to navigate the complex global challenges facing the UN. His background encompasses work within the UN Secretariat, the Security Council, national government, academia, and grassroots peacebuilding. The ministry has urged all UN member states to support Otunnu’s candidacy.

Otunnu’s nomination brings him into a competitive selection process. He previously served as the UN’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, successfully advocating for the protection of children affected by conflict and establishing vital monitoring mechanisms. He also played a role in introducing the informal straw-balloting system for selecting UN Secretaries-General, a process often referred to as the “Otunnu Formula.”

His late entry into the race means he missed the initial public dialogues with candidates and will have a condensed timeframe to campaign before the Security Council’s informal straw poll on July 30. This nomination also reopens discussions about the informal principle of regional rotation for the UN Secretary-General position, with some advocating for a candidate from Latin America and the Caribbean, the only region yet to hold the post.

Otunnu becomes the second African candidate, alongside Senegal’s Macky Sall, prompting questions about the continent’s adherence to the regional rotation principle it has historically championed. The UN Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly based on the Security Council’s recommendation, where permanent members hold veto power.

https://nilepost.co.ug/news/359221/uganda-nominates-olara-otunnu-for-un-secretary-general-race