By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE ambassador to the United Nations, has officially entered the race to succeed António Guterres as the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Nusseibeh, who is of Palestinian heritage, has secured the endorsement of the state of Palestine and is recognized for her advocacy of the two-state solution and her role in facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Challenges and Criticism
Despite her diplomatic achievements, Nusseibeh's candidacy faces significant scrutiny regarding the United Arab Emirates' involvement in Sudan. Critics, including former Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth, have raised concerns over allegations that the UAE has provided support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group accused of genocide. Nusseibeh has consistently denied reports that the UAE supplied weapons to RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo in violation of UN arms bans, maintaining that the country supports a civilian-led government in Sudan.
The UN Leadership Contest
Nusseibeh enters the race as a late contender at a time when the Security Council appears to be at a deadlock. Previous voting rounds have failed to produce a clear leader among the six remaining candidates. While Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica currently holds a lead in straw polls, her candidacy has faced objections from two permanent members of the Security Council. Other contenders in the race include Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana, Olara Otunnu of Uganda, and María Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador.
Vision for the United Nations
In her vision statement, Nusseibeh emphasized the need to rebuild international trust through cooperation. She noted that while states still need to partner with one another, there is a growing skepticism that such cooperation yields sufficient results. She argued that the UN's mission is to facilitate faster and more realistic outcomes for member states. Her candidacy has received backing from figures such as former US national security adviser Brett McGurk, who praised her effectiveness in securing aid for Gaza.
