This archive report was first published on 18 June 2020.
Kenya's diplomats are set to face a tough challenge as they bid to secure a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. The country's victory in the first round of voting, where it secured 113 votes against Djibouti's 78, was not enough to win the seat.
According to the UN rules, a candidate must secure at least two-thirds of the eligible member states' votes to be declared the winner. In the first round, 192 out of 193 member states cast their ballots, with only Venezuela being barred from voting due to its arrears in UN membership fees.
Kenya's diplomats will now have to work harder to lobby countries across the world for one more vote each to see off Djibouti, which rejected the African Union's decision to endorse Kenya and conducted parallel campaigns for the seat.
Wednesday's elections, which were held under Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and without plenary sessions, were historic in nature. The UN Security Council is the most powerful organ of the UN, responsible for maintaining global peace and security.
Kenya's victory in the second round would make it one of the 10 non-permanent members of the Council, who work alongside the permanent five (Russia, China, UK, US, France) to pass resolutions on global peace and security.
However, if no winner emerges from the second round, there could be a further round of voting, or the contest could be open to new entrants if neither Kenya nor Djibouti concedes. Alternatively, they might agree to share the seat, with each country serving a year on the Council.
