KAMPALA
Uganda’s bid to have former United Nations official Olara Otunnu become the next UN Secretary-General has received a boost after his support increased in the latest Security Council straw poll.
Otunnu moved from two “encourage” votes in the first round to five in the second poll conducted on August 21, signaling growing interest in his candidacy.
The latest results also showed a reduction in the number of Security Council members discouraging his candidature, while five members did not express an opinion.
The development comes after Otunnu outlined his vision for the United Nations during an interactive session with member states and civil society representatives in New York.
His campaign focuses on strengthening the UN’s role in preventing conflicts, promoting peacebuilding and restoring confidence in multilateral institutions.
Otunnu, a former UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, has presented himself as an experienced diplomat capable of helping the organisation navigate increasing geopolitical tensions and divisions.
Although he remains behind some of the leading contenders, the movement in his latest poll results gives his campaign renewed diplomatic momentum.
The straw poll, however, does not determine the next Secretary-General. The Security Council must eventually recommend a candidate to the General Assembly, with the five permanent members retaining the power to block a nominee.
For Uganda and the wider African continent, Otunnu’s improving performance could strengthen calls for greater African representation in the leadership of the United Nations.
As consultations continue, his campaign will now face the challenge of converting the recent improvement in support into broader backing among Security Council members.
The next stages of the selection process are expected to provide a clearer picture of whether Otunnu can emerge as a serious contender for the UN’s top diplomatic position.
