UAE Nominates Lana Nusseibeh for UN Secretary General Position

The United Arab Emirates has nominated Lana Nusseibeh to replace UN Secretary General António Guterres at the end of his second five-year term this year.

Critics are denouncing her candidature, citing her stance on allegations that the UAE is fueling the war in Sudan by supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Members of the Sudanese diaspora and international human rights monitors have expressed their concerns about Nusseibeh's position.

The UAE has been accused for years of providing support to the RSF, which has been involved in atrocities during its conflict with the Sudanese army. The UN has documented evidence of these allegations, including an attack on El Fasher in October 2025 that was described as having "hallmarks of genocide.

Nusseibeh, who served as the UAE's representative to the UN until 2024, has consistently reflected the UAE's blanket denials of these accusations. Her nomination has sparked criticism from human rights groups and activists.

Hala al-Karib, a Sudanese pro-democracy and women's rights activist, has spoken out against Nusseibeh's candidature, saying she has no track record of acting independently of her country's role in Sudan".

Critics of Nusseibeh's candidature for the top UN job have been vocal in their opposition. At a recent virtual briefing by Avaaz, a human rights advocacy group, several speakers expressed their concerns about her suitability for the role.

Ibrahim Alduma, co-founder of Sudan Action Hub, said that if Nusseibeh were to succeed, it would be difficult to convince people on the ground that the UN is not working against their interests. He questioned how the UN could claim to uphold the rights of the people of Sudan when one of its leaders has ties to a country accused of obstructing those rights.

The UAE's nomination of Nusseibeh has also been criticized for handing leadership of key UN institutions to a government that is known to defend powerful states. This, say critics, would undermine the UN's ability to hold such states accountable.

A former executive director of Human Rights Watch, Kenneth Roth, expressed his disapproval of Nusseibeh's handling of sensitive issues. He pointed out that she has denied allegations of her country's involvement in arming and supporting the RSF without regard for the facts.

The nomination of Lana Nusseibeh for the top UN job has been met with skepticism from human rights groups and the Sudanese diaspora community. Her dismissal of UN reports detailing the UAE's links to the RSF has raised concerns about her commitment to accountability and transitional justice.

Critics argue that Nusseibeh's stance on the issue has undermined efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. They point out that as a representative of the UAE, she may be compromised by her government's alleged involvement in supporting the RSF.

Despite these criticisms, Nusseibeh has maintained that she would support fact-finding missions and transitional justice if she were to secure the top UN job. She has also emphasized the importance of independence in this role, stating that she had taken a leave of absence from her ministerial post to ensure her impartiality.

To become the next UN secretary general, Nusseibeh will need to secure at least nine affirmative votes out of 15 security council members and avoid a veto from one of the five permanent member states. An informal poll earlier this month had placed Rebeca Grynspan as the frontrunner in the race, but all candidates have received opposition votes from some permanent council members.

The next straw poll is expected to take place soon, with diplomats still negotiating the format and timing. This will be a crucial test for Nusseibeh's chances of securing the top job, and her ability to secure support from member states will be closely watched.

The nomination of a UAE candidate for the top job at the UN has sparked outrage among Sudanese diaspora groups and human rights organizations. They claim that her country's support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan is a major concern.

Critics argue that without the UAE's backing, the RSF would not have been able to achieve its military successes, which included committing mass atrocities against civilians. The violence was not limited to a civil war between rival forces, but also involved international intervention and support. This has raised questions about the candidate's independence from her home state.

The nomination is seen as an attempt by autocratic states to exert control over the UN, which is supposed to be a multilateral institution that promotes global cooperation and human rights.