Daughter of a Chilean general killed by the Pinochet regime. Arrested and tortured with her mother. Political opponent who became a surgeon in exile, then appointed minister – of Defense in particular – upon the return of democracy. First woman elected president by universal suffrage in a Latin American country. A first term ended with a record popularity rating.
And that’s just the beginning of Michelle Bachelet’s resume. After holding the reins of UN Women, she won a second term as president of Chile in 2014. After retiring from politics, she was appointed head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. of man, a key position also occupied by Quebecer Louise Arbor. And many more.
There is no denying that Michelle Bachelet’s biography is one of the most inspiring in the contemporary world.
So I almost fell out of my chair when this great lady gave a boring speech during her visit to Montreal last week to mark the 20th anniversary of the Center for International Studies and Research of the University of Montreal (CERIUM ).
However, the subject of the presentation was very relevant in this period of rising authoritarianism: how to fight for human rights in a fragmented world?
In front of an audience full of students, Quebecers who have distinguished themselves on the world stage, professors, diplomats and world affairs enthusiasts, all eager to hear the answer, or at least possible solutions, Mr.me Bachelet aligned the commonplaces.
I’ll summarize it for you in one paragraph: the world is in bad shape, democracies are having trouble keeping their promises, there is a breakdown of trust in the major institutions set up after the Second World War. We must therefore stay focused on the United Nations 2030 goals for sustainable development, put the gender issue at the center of the international system, enforce international law, reform the United Nations Security Council, tackle changes climate change and take an interest in the Future Summit next September, “which will be a once-in-a-generation opportunity” to refocus on our common objectives.
It sounded more like the wish list of a UN official who wants to keep his job than the words of wisdom of a stateswoman who has seen snow, rain and wind.
And it is for this precise reason that I am telling you about this speech. Because what was most interesting was not said there. Or not directly.
That day, in the large entrance hall of the new MIL campus of the University of Montreal, we attended, in all likelihood, a campaign speech for the post of Secretary General of the United Nations, the post that António will leave Guterres at the end of 2026.
Even though we are two and a half years away from this transition of power, names are already circulating and that of Michelle Bachelet, who has a wealth of experience within the United Nations as well as in national politics, is at the top of the list. Especially since we expect that the candidate this time will come from Latin America or the Caribbean. Or at least, from the Global South.
The other people expected? Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Mexican Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, former President of the United Nations General Assembly and former Foreign Minister of Ecuador María Fernanda Espinosa are on the list of contenders to this position that no woman has ever held. A gap that many want to rectify.
The name of Juan Manuel Santos, former president of Colombia, Nobel Peace Prize winner who worked hard to end the civil war in his country, is also on many lips.
Who will name the winner? It will be a big backroom game, but the five permanent members of the Security Council, namely the United States, France, the United Kingdom, China and Russia, will have the last word.
To take the reins of the immense international organization, the aspirants will have to rally all these major players, whose interests are increasingly divergent, even in competition.
And Michelle Bachelet has more work to do than everyone else combined after her controversial handling of the Uyghur issue when she was high commissioner for human rights. She incurred the wrath of the United States by being too conciliatory with China during an official visit to Xi Jinping’s country, but delivered a report critical of the Middle Kingdom a few minutes before the end of her mandate. Throwing it like a bomb about to explode in an empty field.
Today, Michelle Bachelet seems to do everything not to break any eggs. She refused to meet journalists during her visit to Montreal. During her lecture, she only answered questions that had been prepared in advance. No risk, no unpleasant surprises.
Just a sad glimpse of the minefield that international politics is becoming and in which even the most experienced warriors no longer dare to take a step aside.
reference: www.lapresse.ca