Pourquoi l’élite intellectuelle africaine – et particulièrement sénégalaise – doit soutenir la candidature de Macky Sall aux Nations Unies (Par Dr Cheikhabdou Lahad MBACKE)
In a world beset by multiple crises—climatic, security, economic, and geopolitical—Africa's representation in major international institutions remains a strategic imperative. Macky Sall's candidacy for a top position at the United Nations is seen by many observers as a major opportunity to strengthen the African continent's voice on the world stage. In this context, the African intellectual elite, and particularly the Senegalese elite, has a crucial role to play in analyzing, guiding, and supporting this candidacy.
Recognized political and diplomatic experience
Former President of the Republic of Senegal, Macky Sall led the country from 2012 to 2024 in a regional context often marked by political and security instability. During this period, Senegal remained one of the most stable democracies in West Africa. This institutional stability strengthened the country's diplomatic credibility and its leadership.
On the international stage, Macky Sall also distinguished himself as Chairperson of the African Union in 2022. In this role, he championed several major issues: reforming the international financial architecture, addressing African debt, ensuring equitable access to vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensuring the continent's food security. This multilateral experience is a significant asset for any leadership role within the United Nations.
A credible African voice in the international system
The international system remains heavily structured by balances inherited from the post-World War II era. In this context, Africa—which represents more than a billion inhabitants—remains underrepresented in global decision-making centers.
The presence of an experienced African figure like Macky Sall within the UN could contribute to:
* to bring African concerns into global strategic debates;
* strengthen cooperation between Africa and multilateral institutions;
* to defend the continent's priorities, particularly in the areas of development financing, energy transition and global governance.
His profile, combining national experience and continental leadership, can facilitate the building of bridges between different regions of the world.
The strategic role of the African intellectual elite
Support for an international candidacy is not limited to governments. Academics, researchers, diplomats, writers, and political analysts play a key role in shaping public opinion and in the intellectual legitimization of an international political project.
The African intellectual elite can contribute in several ways:
1. Produce a strategic analysis of Africa's place in global governance.
2. Structure a reasoned argument in favor of stronger African representation in international organizations.
3. Mobilize academic and diplomatic networks to support credible African candidacies.
In this context, supporting Macky Sall would not only mean supporting an individual, but also promoting a vision: that of an Africa more present in global decisions.
A particular responsibility for the Senegalese intelligentsia
Senegal has a rich intellectual tradition, inherited from major figures like Léopold Sédar Senghor, whose influence has transcended national borders to mark global political and cultural thought.
The Senegalese intelligentsia — academics, journalists, researchers and opinion leaders — now has a particular responsibility: to contribute to projecting Senegalese expertise in international spaces.
Supporting Macky Sall's candidacy could therefore be perceived as:
* the continuity of an active Senegalese diplomacy;
* the enhancement of the country's political and diplomatic capital;
* a contribution to strengthening the African presence in multilateral institutions.
A candidacy that goes beyond Senegal
Beyond its national dimension, Macky Sall's candidacy must be analyzed as a continental opportunity. In a context of rapidly shifting geopolitical balances, Africa needs figures capable of defending its interests with credibility and pragmatism.
If it is supported by an African consensus and endorsed by intellectual, diplomatic and political circles, such a candidacy could symbolize a further step towards more inclusive global governance.
Conclusion
Support for Macky Sall's candidacy for a position at the United Nations is not solely a matter of national or partisan considerations. It is part of a broader reflection on Africa's place in the international system. For the African intellectual elite—and particularly the Senegalese—the stakes are twofold: to support a credible candidacy while simultaneously contributing to the development of an African strategy for presence and influence within global institutions.
From this perspective, supporting Macky Sall can be understood as a strategic choice aimed at strengthening the voice of the African continent in the major decisions that shape the future of the world.
Dr. Cheikhabdou Lahad MBACKE
UMBC
School of Public Policy [email protected]
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