On 21 August 2026, the Security Council held its second informal straw poll for the succession of Mr António Guterres. President Macky Sall's candidacy gains a place there and rises to fourth. Its base of encouragements held steady while the field reshuffled.
A place gained in three weeks. At the first straw poll, on 30 July, the candidacy stood fifth; at the second, it stands fourth. The base of support did not fall back, and the ranking rose as the positions tightened around it.
A gap halved. At the first poll, the front of the race led the candidacy by four votes. At the second, the gap is down to two. In three weeks, the distance to first place has halved.
A continental support that consolidates. The movement reads outside the Council too. Forty-one African states now back the candidacy, after the recent rallying of Rwanda, Ethiopia and Tanzania. On 14 August, in Cotonou, civil society organizations from four regions of the continent launched their own drive. The continent closes ranks behind a single name.
A process that continues. The Council does not publish the result of its consultations, and no date is yet set for what follows. President Macky Sall's candidacy is maintained to the end of the process, and the work continues, delegation by delegation.
Experience in running a state. Twelve years as head of state and the chairmanship of the African Union in 2022 underpin this candidacy. They explain why the vision statement filed with the United Nations frames its proposals as obligations: peace, security and development conceived together; a renewed multilateralism; stronger governance of the Organization.
Africa at its heart, the world in its sights.
The Security Council does not publish the result of its consultations; the figures were reported by the press on 21 August 2026. Read all public positions at www.mackysall.net