Human‑rights groups call for rejection of UAE diplomat Lana Nusseibeh’s UN secretary‑general bid

Several international human‑rights organisations urged member states on Tuesday to oppose the candidacy of United Arab Emirates diplomat Lana Nusseibeh for the post of United Nations secretary‑general, citing allegations that Abu Dhabis funds have supported Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The groups said the accusations raise concerns about the candidate’s ability to act independently of her home government.

Nusseibeh, 48, was officially nominated last week and has secured backing from Gulf states. She would be the first woman and the second Arab to hold the UN’s top post if elected. The UAE has denied any involvement in financing the RSF, which has been fighting the Sudanese army since 2023.

Human Rights Watch head Ken Roth described Nusseibeh as “utterly inappropriate” for the role, noting that she has repeatedly denied the UAE’s alleged support for the RSF despite what he called “the facts.” Kate Ferguson, co‑director of the British NGO Protection Approaches, added that she has not seen sufficient evidence to confirm the candidate’s independence from the Emirati government.

In response, Nusseibeh announced she would take a leave of absence from her ministerial post in the UAE to “be mindful of the obligations of independence” required of a secretary‑general. She described the ongoing conflict in Sudan as a “tragedy” and said the war would serve as a “litmus test” for any incoming UN chief.

The UN’s selection process requires candidates to be independent of their national governments. The debate over Nusseibeh’s candidacy highlights broader concerns about the influence of state actors in the appointment of the organization’s senior leadership.