Members of the Sudanese diaspora and international human rights watchdogs have strongly denounced the unexpected candidature of a senior Emirati diplomat for the position of United Nations secretary-general. Critics point out that Lana Nusseibeh has repeatedly dismissed mounting evidence regarding the alleged involvement of the United Arab Emirates in fueling the catastrophic civil war in Sudan through covert military backing.

The nomination, put forward by the UAE to succeed António Guterres as his second five-year term concludes, has profoundly disrupted an already gridlocked electoral race within the security council. For years, independent investigators and human rights organizations have documented extensive records linking external supplies to paramilitary forces accused of committing severe atrocities, including the brutal October 2025 assault on El Fasher, which UN officials characterized as bearing the hallmarks of genocide.

During recent advocacy briefings, prominent human rights defenders argued that elevating Nusseibeh to the highest multilateral office would severely undermine global justice and accountability. Critics asserted that the prospective candidate lacks demonstrated independence from her home state's geopolitical agenda, warning that her appointment would effectively insulate powerful regional actors from international scrutiny and shatter the remaining faith of conflict victims in the UN's impartial authority.

Source: www.theguardian.com