Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, has raised sharp concerns over the leadership conduct of Évariste Ndayishimiye, warning that recent actions at the helm of the African Union risk undermining the bloc’s credibility and cohesion.
The criticism follows opposition from at least 20 AU member states to the controversial nomination of Macky Sall for Secretary-General of the United Nations, a process Nduhungirehe says violated established procedures.
According to the minister, the nomination was submitted unilaterally by Ndayishimiye without prior consultation with member states, before efforts were made to secure endorsement within a tight 24-hour deadline.
In remarks shared on X, Nduhungirehe described the move as a serious procedural breach, stressing that decisions of such magnitude require broad consultation and consensus among AU leaders.
He said the nomination, which was transmitted to the UN on March 2, 2026 through Burundi’s Permanent Mission, caught many African governments off guard.
Nduhungirehe emphasised that the rejection of Macky Sall’s candidacy was not a reflection on the individual, but rather a stand against what he characterised as an irregular and opaque process.
He further alleged that, amid growing resistance, Ndayishimiye attempted to push the endorsement through a 24-hour “silence procedure,” a mechanism that would have implied approval in the absence of objections.
However, several member states rejected the approach, choosing instead to formally object and reaffirm adherence to AU rules and collective decision-making principles.
While the proposal was ultimately halted, Nduhungirehe cautioned that the episode had already dented the AU’s image on the international stage.
He added that the developments should serve as a critical lesson for future AU leadership, particularly on the importance of transparency, institutional respect and rules-based governance.
Other figures reported to be in the race for the UN’s top job include Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan and Virginia Gamba. The next UN Secretary-General is expected to assume office in January 2027.
