Kenya, Djibouti face off in second round of voting for UN Security Council seat
United Nations members will hold a second round of voting on Thursday to determine whether Kenya or Djibouti wins a non-permanent seat on the Security Council.
In the first round of voting, which took place on Wednesday, Kenya secured 113 votes against Djibouti’s 78. However, UN rules demand at least two-thirds of the votes of eligible UN member states to be declared the winner.
Kenya has support from the African Union. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, during a virtual campaign meeting with various UN members, highlighted his country’s relationship with the AU and the country’s track record of democracy and multilateralism. He says if Kenya wins the seat, the country would use the privilege position to advance a Pan-Africanist agenda for peace, multilateralism and global solidarity.
Djibouti’s push has the support of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, and the International Organization of la Francophonie. Djibouti also touts its strategic location and unusual role as a defense base for diverse countries as justification for being considered for the non-permanent seat. Djibouti also says it deserves the opportunity because Kenya has already served two prior stints on the Council.
The winner of Thursday’s race between Kenya and Djibouti will join Tunisia and Niger as Africa’s representatives on the UN Security Council.
The Security Council has 10 non-permanent members in addition to the five permanent members, Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.
