Uganda has formally nominated former Minister of Overseas Affairs and former United Nations official Olara Otunnu as its candidate for the place of United Nations Secretary-Normal, whose subsequent time period begins in January 2027.
In a press release issued on Sunday, July 26, Uganda’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs stated Otunnu’s nomination had been formally submitted to the UN, describing him as a statesman with greater than 4 a long time of expertise in worldwide diplomacy, authorities, academia and peacebuilding.
ALSO READ: Macky Sall pledges to revive belief in UN if elected as Secretary-Normal
The East African nation’s endorsement comes forward of the expiry of the second five-year time period of the present UN Secretary-Normal, António Guterres, on December 31, 2026.
In response to the ministry, Otunnu beforehand served because the UN Beneath-Secretary-Normal and the primary Particular Consultant of the Secretary-Normal for Youngsters and Armed Battle between 1998 and 2005, the place he led international efforts to strengthen the safety of kids affected by warfare.
Otunnu served as Uganda’s Minister of Overseas Affairs from 1985 to 1986 and was a member of the Nationwide Consultative Council throughout the nation’s transition following the autumn of Idi Amin’s regime.
Otunnu turns into the seventh formally declared candidate within the race to guide the 193-member world physique and the second African contender after former Senegalese President Macky Sall.
Different candidates are Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, María Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, and Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana.
The Ugandan international ministry additionally highlighted Otunnu's earlier function because the nation's Ambassador and Everlasting Consultant to the UN from 1980 to 1985. Throughout Uganda’s presidency of the UN Safety Council in December 1981, he launched the straw-balloting process utilized in deciding on the UN Secretary-Normal, a course of later often known as the “Otunnu Components.”
Past authorities service, he headed the Worldwide Peace Academy, now the Worldwide Peace Institute, from 1990 to 1998 and has taught at establishments together with Albany Legislation College, the American College in Paris and the Institut Français des Relations Internationales.
ALSO READ: Senegal backs Macky Sall's bid for UN Secretary-Normal
The Ugandan authorities stated Otunnu’s work in advancing peace and human rights has earned him a number of worldwide honours, together with the Sydney Peace Prize, the German Africa Prize and the Harvard Legislation College Alumni Affiliation Award.
Otunnu holds a level in Jurisprudence from the College of Oxford and a Grasp of Legal guidelines from Harvard Legislation College. He’s fluent in English, French and Luo.
The Ugandan authorities stated his expertise throughout the UN system, nationwide management and grassroots peacebuilding positions him to guide the world physique “at this vital juncture in international affairs” and referred to as on UN member states to assist his candidacy.
