UAE Nominates Diplomat Lana Nusseibeh to Lead UN Amid Criticism Over Sudan and Israel Policy

{"#Nusseibeh's_Campaign":"Lana Nusseibeh's campaign for UN Secretary-General has gained traction, with her supporters sounding out UN missions for backing. Her entry follows six informal straw polls in which no candidate secured the backing of all five veto-wielding permanent members: the US, Russia, China, Britain and France. The UAE's close ties with Washington and the other permanent members could open a path for Nusseibeh.","#Nominations_and_Straw_Polls":"The selection process opened about a year ago with General Assembly dialogues, followed by Security Council straw polls from 30 July. A seventh poll expected on Friday has been postponed, possibly until next week, to give the UAE time to submit its nomination. The General Assembly president's office said any new candidate would be introduced to the wider membership.","#Criticism_of_UAE_Policy":"Nusseibeh's candidacy has drawn criticism due to her government's close ties with Israel after the normalisation agreements of 2020. Critics argue that her entry highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding the UN leadership race and the UAE's controversial foreign policy, particularly its support for parties accused of genocide. The UN experts and rights groups have concluded in several authoritative reports that the RSF has committed genocide and other international crimes against non-Arab communities in Darfur. There is also widespread public evidence, including extensive reporting by Middle East Eye, linking the UAE with the supply of arms and other goods to the RSF."}