Olara Otunnu becomes seventh UN chief candidate to replace Guterres

Olara Otunnu entered the race for the next UN Secretary-General after Uganda nominated him, bringing the number of candidates to seven to replace António Guterres. Guterres will end his second term on December 31, 2026, and his successor is scheduled to take office on January 1, 2027. Otunnu, 75, previously served as UN deputy secretary-general and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, and also held the post of Uganda foreign minister. Other candidates already in the running include Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, and Macky Sall. The selection process reaches a key stage this week, when the Security Council holds an initial closed vote to gauge support before forwarding one name to the UN General Assembly.