President Macky Sall announced on Monday 13 July talks with the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The two leaders noted a convergence of views on strengthening multilateralism and on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. The candidate also reaffirmed his commitment to Somalia's national unity.
The significance of the exchange lies in the calendar. Somalia sits on the Security Council as an elected member for the 2025-2026 term; it will be among the fifteen states called to express themselves in the straw polls expected in the last week of July. In fifteen days, President Macky Sall has held seven high-level contacts with Council members, including two elected members, Pakistan and Somalia, and the Permanent Representatives of three permanent members met in New York on 6 July. The method is constant: speaking to every member of the Council, elected and permanent alike, with the same seriousness.
The exchange also carries substance. Since 2007, Somalia has hosted one of the largest operations conducted by the African Union with the support of the United Nations; few countries know so closely what cooperation between the UN and regional organizations changes on the ground. That is one of the threads of the first pillar of the candidate's vision: conflict prevention and closer collaboration between the Organization and regional actors.
The next milestone comes on 23 July. At the invitation of the President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, all candidates will take part in a Town Hall in the General Assembly Hall in New York, facing member states and civil society. The straw poll window opens right after.
In a race with six declared candidates, President Macky Sall remains the only African candidate. Meeting after meeting, his campaign follows the same line: a reformed, effective United Nations that rebuilds trust among member states.
The full vision statement is available at www.mackysall.net.