Namibia has taken a leading role in advocating for the election of the first-ever woman as the next secretary general of the United Nations (UN). International relations minister Selma Ashipala- Musavyi says the role and importance of a woman at the helm of the UN are critical at this pivotal juncture in global politics. Ashipala-Musavyi... The post ‘Future is female’ … Namibia agitates first UN female SG appeared first on New Era .
Namibia has taken a leading role in advocating for the election of the first-ever woman as the next secretary general of the United Nations (UN).
International relations minister Selma Ashipala- Musavyi says the role and importance of a woman at the helm of the UN are critical at this pivotal juncture in global politics.
Ashipala-Musavyi made Namibia’s stance known during her working visit to the Republic of Congo, where she officiated the inaugural Namibia-Republic of Congo Political and Diplomatic Consultations last week.
The UN has never had a female secretary-general in its 80-year history, but this year’s elections have seen multiple women contesting to succeed current secretary-general António Guterres, whose second and final term ends on 31 December 2026.
Namibia, Brazil, Mexico and Antigua and Barbuda, along with over 110 member states, have all expressed strong support for electing the first female UN secretary-general.
“In September, a very important event will take place at the United Nations that addresses Namibia’s progress regarding the participation of women in decision-making. We are going to elect a new secretary-general of the United Nations.
The point that Namibia was making at the UN Council is that 80 years after the formation of the United Nations, it is time, in the spirit of gender equality, that a woman occupy that office. And we hope that this message is heard not only by SADC member states but also by all the UN member states,” said Ashipala-Musavyi.
She underscored that electing a woman for the secretary-general position would not only strengthen and demonstrate the UN’s commitment to advancing gender equality but also be an opportunity for the norm-setting international organisation to lead by example.
**Process **
The selection and appointment process for the next UN secretary-general involves recommendations by the Security Council followed by a final majority vote in the General Assembly.
The Security Council will hold secret ballots, which are referred to as straw polls, until a consensus is reached. The choices council members are given for each candidate in the straw poll are to vote for ‘Encourage’, ‘Discourage’, or ‘No Opinion’.
Ultimately, the five permanent veto-wielding council members, which are the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France, must agree on a candidate.
The ballots for the veto powers in the straw poll are traditionally a different colour to those of the 10 elected members. When Guterres was chosen in 2016, it took six straw polls for the Security Council to reach agreement.
The Council then adopts a resolution, traditionally behind closed doors, recommending an appointment to the Assembly. The resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes to pass.
The General Assembly’s approval of the appointment of a secretary-general has long been accepted as a final rubber stamp.
Meanwhile, the eight candidates vying for the secretary-general position are Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett from Guyana, who is currently leading the informal Security Council straw polls.
They are Ivonne A-Baki from Ecuador; former president of Chile Michelle Bachelet, former president of the UN General Assembly María Fernanda Espinosa from Ecuador and Rafael Grossi from Argentina, the current director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Other candidates are Rebeca Grynspan from Costa Rica, the head of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), former UN Special Representative Olara Otunnu from Uganda and Macky Sall, the former president of Senegal. – *-ohembapu@nepc.com.na *
The post ‘Future is female’ … Namibia agitates first UN female SG appeared first on New Era.
