Former Senegalese President Macky Sall, a leading candidate to become the next United Nations Secretary-General, has endorsed President Donald Trump's push for sweeping UN reforms, telling Breitbart News that the organization needs to "make the UN great again."

Sall, who governed Senegal from 2012 to 2024, praised Trump as a "peace builder" and expressed support for the American president's vision of a more efficient and accountable international body. The endorsement represents a significant break from the typical diplomatic caution shown by UN leadership candidates.

African Candidate Faces Complex Path Forward

Nominated by Burundi in March 2026 as the African Union's rotating chair, Sall's candidacy has faced turbulence from the start. The AU failed to formally endorse him amid objections from multiple member states, and Senegal's current government has publicly distanced itself from the campaign.

Despite these challenges, Sall remains one of the most prominent candidates in the race to succeed António Guterres, whose second term ends in 2026. Traditionally, the Secretary-General position has rotated among global regions, and many believe Africa is due for another turn at leading the world body.

Trump's UN Reform Agenda Gains International Support

The Trump administration has pushed aggressively for UN reforms, arguing that the organization has become bloated, inefficient, and hostile to American interests. Trump has demanded that member states contribute their fair share of funding and has called for eliminating programs he views as wasteful.

Sall's willingness to align with Trump's reform agenda could help him win American support in the Security Council vote that ultimately selects the Secretary-General. The United States, as a permanent member with veto power, plays an outsized role in determining who leads the UN.

Other Candidates Crowd the Field

Sall faces competition from several other declared candidates, including Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, who heads the UN Trade and Development agency, and Michelle Bachelet, the former Chilean president and UN human rights chief. An Ecuadorean candidate has also called for the UN to be "shrunk responsibly."

The selection process officially began in April 2026 with candidate questioning sessions at UN headquarters. Member states and civil society groups have pressed candidates on their credentials and vision for the organization.

Whether Sall's pro-Trump stance helps or hurts his candidacy remains to be seen. While it may win American backing, some European nations and developing countries could view alignment with Trump negatively. The race is expected to intensify in the coming months as the Security Council begins informal polling of candidates.