Kenya defeats Djibouti in secret vote for UN Security Council seat

AFRICAN UNION    UNITED NATIONS

KAMPALA - Kenya on Wednesday defeated Djibouti and was nominated as a candidate for the UN Security Council seat in a vote held at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The nomination effectively means that Kenya will become Africa's sole candidate for the race for the non-permanent seat for 2021-2022.

Nairobi garnered 37 votes against Djibouti's 13 in a secret ballot in the second round of voting in which 51 of the 55 AU member states participated.

Kenya had in the first round won 34 votes seats against Djibouti's 15 votes in which two countries abstained.

Kenyan Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Dr. Monica Juma was quoted in a statement saying that the vote was a show of confidence for Kenya to represent Africa's agenda at the UNSC.

"This endorsement is an affirmation that Kenya has remained true to the decisions and aspirations of the African Union and confirms that it is a safe and dependable pair of hands," she said.

She also noted, "Kenya commits to the African brothers and sisters, that we shall be a bold voice for Africa and shall steadfastly promote and defend the African position."

Djibouti's Ambassador to the African Union Mohammed Idris Farah conceded defeat and congratulated Kenya for the victory.

The Council is composed of 15 Members. These include five permanent members who are China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.

The current African representative to the UN was Côte d'Ivoire whose term of office expires this year.
 
More than 60 United Nations Member States have never been members of the Security Council.

A State which is a Member of the United Nations but not of the Security Council may participate, without a vote, in its discussions when the Council considers that the country's interests are affected.

Both Members and non-members of the United Nations, if they are parties to a dispute being considered by the Council, may be invited to take part, without a vote, in the Council's discussions; the Council sets the conditions for participation by a non-member State.