Kenya beat Djibouti to win a seat on the UN Security Council to represent the African continent.
The East African nation secured 129 votes against Djibouti’s 62, in a run-off vote on Thursday.
In the first round of voting Kenya secured 113 votes against Djibouti’s 78.
A second round of voting was needed since the winner had to secure at least two-thirds votes of the eligible UN member states.
Kenya will join Niger and Tunisia currently representing the African continent on the council.
India, Mexico, Norway and Ireland were chosen as non-permanent members.
Kenya will now replace South Africa for the seat expected to be vacant in January 2021.
Former Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Odinga said in a statement that “Kenya’s election to the U.N Security Council this evening marks one of the brightest points of our engagement with the world.
It is also a bold manifestation that with solidarity, Africa, which backed Kenya, can have its way on the global stage.”
Kenya’s election to the U.N Security Council this evening marks one of the brightest points of our engagement with the world. It is also a bold manifestation that with solidarity, Africa, which backed Kenya, can have its way on the global stage. pic.twitter.com/TPl8dLGdlA
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) June 18, 2020
Kenya and other nine non-permanent members of the security council of the UN may be involved in decisions such as imposing sanctions, authorising use of force to preserve peace as well as electing judges of the International Court of Justice.
The five permanent members with veto powers on the council are Russia, UK, US, China and France.
Source: Africafeeds.com
