Lana Nusseibeh Wins 7 UN Votes as Sudan Allegations Dog UAE Secretary-General Bid
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Oct 30
Lana Nusseibeh Wins 7 UN Votes as Sudan Allegations Dog UAE Secretary-General Bid
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Oct 30
Summary
Seven of 15 Security Council members backed Lana Nusseibeh in a straw poll, leaving the UAE nominee in fourth place in the race to replace António Guterres.
Sudan is actively lobbying against her, with Deputy Ambassador Ammar Mahmoud accusing Nusseibeh of helping cover up atrocities and tying her candidacy to the UAE’s alleged role in the war.
The UAE has previously denied allegations that it supported Sudanese paramilitary fighters, while Nusseibeh this week called Sudan a “litmus test” for the next UN chief and referred questions about the UAE to its UN mission.
The contest is drawing unusual scrutiny from activists and rights figures, even as supporters in Washington praise Nusseibeh’s diplomatic skills and note her ties in a veto-wielding United States.