Uganda’s Olara Otunnu Records Biggest Surge in UN Secretary-General Race

[Da Dona]

Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu has recorded the biggest improvement in support among candidates seeking to become the next United Nations Secretary-General, gaining momentum after his engagement with UN member states.

The second informal straw poll, conducted by the 15-member UN Security Council on August 21, saw Otunnu more than double his “encourage” votes while significantly reducing the number of members opposed to his candidacy.

Otunnu received five “encourage” votes, five “discourage” votes and five “no opinion” ballots. This represents a major improvement from the first straw poll in July, when he received only two “encourage” votes, eight “discourage” votes and five “no opinion” votes.

His improved showing came a day after he participated in an interactive dialogue with members of the UN General Assembly on August 20. The engagement appeared to strengthen his position among delegates who had previously been undecided or opposed to his candidacy.

Following the release of the results, Otunnu thanked members of the Security Council and said he looked forward to continued engagement with council members and other UN member states.
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“I am grateful to all members of the Security Council. I look forward to continued engagement with members of the Security Council and all Member States of the United Nations,” Otunnu said.​

Despite Otunnu's strong improvement, the race remains wide open. Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett emerged as the new frontrunner with eight “encourage,” three “discourage” and four “no opinion” votes.

She narrowly overtook Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan, who recorded seven “encourage,” four “discourage” and four “no opinion” votes. Argentina’s Rafael Grossi also received seven “encourage” votes but recorded six “discourage” votes, reflecting increased resistance to his candidacy.

Senegal’s Macky Sall received six “encourage” and seven “discourage” votes, while Ecuador’s Maria Fernanda Espinosa secured four “encourage” votes.

Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet saw her support fall to two “encourage” votes, while Ecuador’s Ivonne A-Baki, who entered the race late, received no “encourage” votes.

None of the candidates has yet secured the nine affirmative votes required for the Security Council to recommend a candidate to the General Assembly.

The shifting positions of the five permanent members of the Security Council — Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States — could still significantly reshape the contest.

Daniel Forti, head of UN affairs at the International Crisis Group, said the movement in the candidates’ standings was expected as the permanent members increasingly began to signal their preferences.
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“No candidate has commanded a significant majority of Council members after two polls,” Forti said, adding that this could encourage other potential candidates to enter the race.​

Denmark’s Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen, who holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council, confirmed that the candidates and UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock had been formally notified of the results.

The Security Council is expected to conduct further secret ballots before recommending a single candidate to the 193-member General Assembly. The appointment will take place before the end of António Guterres’ term on December 31, 2026.


Daily Monitor UG​