Sudanese activists and international watchdogs fear Lana Nusseibeh's selection would severely compromise institutional accountability given documented links between the UAE and Sudanese atrocities. In response, Nusseibeh stepped away from her UAE ministerial duties, pledged independence, and affirmed support for UN investigations into wartime crimes. Her emergence disrupts a deadlocked contest where prior candidates failed to win consensus from veto-wielding powers. The UN Security Council could hold its next informal straw poll as early as Friday.
Key points
Human rights organizations warn that selecting the Emirati diplomat would severely erode…: Human rights organizations warn that selecting the Emirati diplomat would severely erode global trust in United Nations accountability.
Nusseibeh maintains she is independent after taking a formal leave of absence from her Un…: Nusseibeh maintains she is independent after taking a formal leave of absence from her United Arab Emirates ministerial post.
The Security Council faces a persistent diplomatic stalemate as it prepares for an upcomi…: The Security Council faces a persistent diplomatic stalemate as it prepares for an upcoming straw poll on leadership contenders.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Members of the Sudanese diaspora and international human rights monitors have denounced the candidature of an Emirati diplomat for the top job at the UN, citing her denial of accusations that the United Arab Emirates is fuelling the war in Sudan by supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
The UAE nominated Lana Nusseibeh last week to replace the UN secretary general, António Guterres, as he finishes his second five-year term this year, upending a race that had become gridlocked.
Rights groups and others have for years documented evidence of UAE support for the RSF, which has been accused of atrocities during the course of its war against the Sudanese army, including an attack on the city of El Fasher in October 2025 that the UN said had “hallmarks of genocide”.
Nusseibeh, the UAE’s representative to the UN until 2024, has repeatedly reflected the UAE’s blanket denials of the accusations.
The Sudanese pro-democracy and women’s rights activist Hala al-Karib, the regional director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa, said Nusseibeh had “no track record of acting…
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Iranian military forces reported multiple commercial vessels suffered explosions in restricted maritime corridors, directly challenging recent American assertions that the strategic waterway had been made safe for transit. Tehran has enforced strict limits on regional shipping traffic since hostilities commenced in late February, triggering an American port blockade and naval escort operations. The maritime developments further escalate hazards for commercial vessels navigating unapproved routes across the vital o…
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