Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu has encountered a major challenge in his campaign to become the next United Nations Secretary-General after three of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council reportedly voted against his candidacy in a confidential straw poll. The results have raised questions about his chances of securing the world’s top diplomatic position, despite a slight improvement in his overall support.

According to results published by PassBlue and reported by ChimpReports, Otunnu received four “encourage” votes, 10 “discourage” votes and one “no opinion” vote in the latest ballot. Although his positive votes increased from three in the October 7 poll, the level of opposition remains a serious obstacle for Uganda’s candidate.

The five permanent members—the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom and France—hold veto power in the Security Council. In Otunnu’s case, only one permanent member reportedly supported him, three discouraged his candidacy, and the fifth expressed no opinion. Although these are not formal vetoes, the results indicate that he faces a significant diplomatic challenge.

Despite the setback, Otunnu’s campaign has not formally ended. The former UN Under-Secretary-General brings considerable diplomatic experience, having served as the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. His campaign team, led by former Ugandan Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, has previously expressed confidence in his ability to lead the international organisation.

Otunnu is also associated with the history of the selection process itself. During his diplomatic career, he helped develop the informal straw-poll mechanism used to assess candidates for the UN’s top job. The process is designed to give Security Council members an indication of the level of support for each candidate before a formal recommendation is made.

Meanwhile, Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan remains among the leading contenders, with nine “encourage” votes in the latest poll. Argentina’s Rafael Grossi and Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett also attracted substantial support, although they too faced opposition from permanent members. The results show that the contest remains unsettled, with no candidate having secured the backing needed to avoid a potential veto.

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The next stage will require candidates to strengthen their diplomatic relationships and persuade Security Council members who remain opposed or undecided. Under the selection rules, a candidate needs at least nine votes in the 15-member Council and must avoid a veto from any of the five permanent members before the General Assembly can appoint the next Secretary-General. António Guterres’s second term is due to end on December 31, 2026, making the succession process increasingly important. For Uganda, Otunnu’s candidacy offers an opportunity to place one of its experienced diplomats at the head of the United Nations, but the latest ballot highlights the difficulty of converting that ambition into sufficient international support.