Sudanese diaspora communities and international human rights organizations have raised concerns over the United Arab Emirates’ nomination of Lana Nusseibeh for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. Critics argue that Nusseibeh’s past defense of the UAE against allegations of supporting Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) calls into question her independence and suitability for the role.
The UAE’s decision to nominate Nusseibeh comes as outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres prepares to step down at the end of his second five-year term. Her candidacy has sparked controversy due to ongoing allegations that the UAE has supported the RSF, a group accused of committing atrocities against civilians in Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict. The United Nations has described an October 2025 attack on El Fasher by the RSF as having genocidal characteristics.
Critics, including Hala al-Karib, a Sudanese women’s rights and pro-democracy activist, have expressed doubts about Nusseibeh’s ability to act independently of her government’s stance on Sudan. They warn that her appointment could undermine efforts to achieve justice for victims of the conflict. Other Sudanese activists and human rights advocates emphasize the need for the UN to maintain independence and hold powerful nations accountable for their roles in international conflicts.
Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch, has also criticized Nusseibeh’s responses to allegations regarding the UAE’s support for the RSF, suggesting that her approach to accountability is problematic. In contrast, Nusseibeh has defended her candidacy, labeling the RSF’s actions in Sudan as atrocious and pledging to support UN fact-finding missions and efforts toward accountability and transitional justice if appointed.
Nusseibeh has taken leave from her ministerial role in the UAE, citing the need for the independence expected of a UN Secretary-General. The selection process for the position requires a candidate to secure at least nine affirmative votes in the 15-member UN Security Council and avoid a veto from any of its five permanent members: the United States, the United Kingdom, China, France, and Russia.
The race for the UN’s top position remains competitive, with Rebeca Grynspan, a former vice-president of Costa Rica, previously emerging as a leading candidate in informal Security Council polls. The ongoing debate over Nusseibeh’s nomination has added uncertainty to the selection process, highlighting broader concerns about the independence of international institutions and their ability to enforce accountability for human rights violations in conflict zones.