Uganda has officially nominated Olara Otunnu as a candidate to succeed António Guterres as UN Secretary-General, increasing the competition for the role to seven candidates. This move follows a well-received presentation by former Senegalese President Macky Sall, who was previously considered a frontrunner. The Ugandan candidacy has sparked strong criticism from Madiambal Diagne, a close associate of Sall, who condemned it as a “dishonest maneuver” and a “dirty trick” causing shockwaves within African diplomatic circles. Diagne lamented the division within Africa regarding the succession. Otunnu is a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience at the UN, having served as Uganda’s permanent representative and as a Deputy Secretary-General focusing on children and armed conflict. Kampala believes his experience, political acumen, and consensus-building skills make him a strong contender in the current global context, despite previous candidates like Michelle Bachelet and Rafael Grossi also vying for the position.