Why Otunnu is UN’s best bet for this moment

What the report says

The Independent Uganda published a comment piece arguing that Uganda’s Olara Otunnu is a strong candidate to lead the United Nations at a time of global conflict and institutional strain. The article says his recent appearance in an interactive dialogue at the UN General Assembly showed him handling tough questions clearly and without notes, which the writer presents as evidence of comfort in high-level diplomacy.

The piece reviews Otunnu’s long UN-related career, including service as Uganda’s ambassador to the UN in the early 1980s, leadership roles in the Security Council and the UN human rights system, and later work as the first UN Under-Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict from 1997 to 2005. It also notes his role in developing the confidential straw-ballot process used to select UN secretaries-general, which the article says remains in use.

The commentary further says Otunnu has spent the last five years living in northern Uganda and working with communities affected by the Lord’s Resistance Army war. The writer argues that this background gives him practical experience with recovery after conflict, and suggests that his mix of peace talks, human rights work and community engagement could be valuable as member states choose the next UN chief. The article places that debate in the context of wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and the Sahel, along with wider concerns about climate and economic disruption.