EAC member states endorse Kutesa for UN

Hellen Mukiibi

Member states of the East African community have endorsed the candidature of Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa for the Presidency of the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly 2014-2015.

The EAC Sectoral Council of Foreign Policy Coordination meeting in Tanzania's capital of Dar es Salaam over the weekend, in their resolutions also urged the African Union to endorse and mobilize support for Kutesa's candidature.

The only competitor in Africa for the same office is Cameron. African Union is to decide on a sole candidate in May.
The Council approved several other EAC candidatures including Kenya's bid for the Non-Permanent seat at the UN Security Council for the period 2017-18. Elections are due late 2016.

In a brief interview on the sidelines of the meeting, Kutesa observed, “currently UN is considering reforms on the Security Council including membership. I intend to push and spearhead reforms so that Africa gets a permanent representation on the Security Council."

Mean -while, the five partner states of the East African Community on the same weekend signed a Peace and Security Protocol aimed at improving security in the region.

The signing of the agreement in Dar es Salaam on Saturday was followed by the open-air burning of 3,193 illicit firearms at Ukonga Prison Grounds on the outskirts of the city.