UK Weighs Backing UAE’s Nusseibeh for UN Chief Amid Sudan Controversy

Key points

• Middle East Eye reports that the UK is leaning toward backing Nusseibeh, though a final decision has not been made, potentially smoothing relations with the UAE after a row over Manchester City’s financial breaches.
• Nusseibeh, 48, would be the first woman and second Arab to lead the UN, having previously served as the UAE’s permanent representative to the UN and foreign affairs minister.
• Her candidacy is opposed by human rights groups and Sudanese communities who accuse the UAE of supplying weapons and mercenaries to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which UN experts say committed genocide in Darfur.
• The UAE denies these allegations, with Nusseibeh previously disputing findings from UN expert panels, while supporters praise her as a bridge-builder who helped secure a Security Council resolution on Gaza aid.
• The race had been deadlocked for months among Latin American candidates, but Nusseibeh’s late entry has shifted momentum, with endorsements from the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Maldives, and US-aligned officials.

Background

The UN secretary-general race had been stalled for three months, with no candidate securing the backing of all five permanent Security Council members. Previous straw polls favored Latin American candidates like Rebeca Grynspan, but they faced veto threats. Nusseibeh entered the race last week, capitalizing on the deadlock and her diplomatic connections. The current secretary-general, António Guterres, will end his term in December, creating urgency for a successor.

How outlets are covering it

Middle East Eye highlights the geopolitical calculus behind the UK’s potential support, linking it to resolving the Manchester City dispute and improving ties with Abu Dhabi. The Guardian’s Nesrine Malik argues that appointing Nusseibeh would be an outrage, describing her as the face of the UAE’s strategy to fuel the Sudan war and criticizing the Western establishment for prioritizing transactional politics over accountability. The Globe and Mail notes that while Nusseibeh is a front-runner due to strong US and Russian ties, her candidacy has angered Latin American nations, which traditionally expect the role to rotate to their region. The Jerusalem Post emphasizes the broad diplomatic support she has received, including from the Gulf Cooperation Council and Cypriot officials, who praise her multilateral approach and experience.

Why it matters

The outcome of this race will determine the leadership of the UN’s most powerful office at a time of global instability. If Nusseibeh is appointed, it would signal a shift toward accommodating Gulf states despite their controversial roles in regional conflicts, potentially undermining the UN’s credibility in addressing atrocities in Sudan. Conversely, her rejection could deepen diplomatic rifts between the UK, the US, and the UAE, complicating future cooperation on Middle East peace and global security issues.

What to watch

The UN Security Council must agree on a candidate before the end of December for the General Assembly to approve. The UK is expected to make its final decision on Nusseibeh’s candidacy soon, which could break the current deadlock. If she is not selected, the race may revert to the previous Latin American frontrunners, though they face continued opposition from veto-wielding powers.