The race for the next United Nations Secretary-General has entered a new phase following Uganda's surprise nomination of veteran diplomat and former UN Under-Secretary-General, Olara Otunnu. The late entry comes as the Security Council prepares to begin informal straw polls, adding fresh momentum and uncertainty to an already closely watched contest. Otunnu joins former Senegalese President Macky Sall as Africa's second candidate, raising important questions about whether the continent's vote will be strengthened or divided. His nomination also highlights the complex geopolitical calculations that will shape the choice of the world's top diplomat, from regional alliances to the influence of the UN Security Council's permanent members. To help us unpack these developments, we are joined by former United Nations official and international affairs analyst, Daniel Safran-Hon.

<p>The race for the next United Nations Secretary-General has entered a new phase following Uganda's surprise nomination of veteran diplomat and former UN Under-Secretary-General, Olara Otunnu. The late entry comes as the Security Council prepares to begin informal straw polls, adding fresh momentum and uncertainty to an already closely watched contest. Otunnu joins former Senegalese President Macky Sall as Africa's second candidate, raising important questions about whether the continent's vote will be strengthened or divided. His nomination also highlights the complex geopolitical calculations that will shape the choice of the world's top diplomat, from regional alliances to the influence of the UN Security Council's permanent members. To help us unpack these developments, we are joined by former United Nations official and international affairs analyst, Daniel Safran-Hon.</p>