This archive report was first published on 19 June 2020.
On June 18, 2020, Kenya made history by securing a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, following a second round of voting. The victory marked a significant milestone for the country, with Foreign Affairs Chief Administrative Secretary Ababu Namwambwa extending an olive branch to Djibouti, the country that had been vying for the same seat.
According to Namwambwa, Kenya's relationship with Djibouti remains unchanged, despite the intense competition for the UN seat. He expressed gratitude to the President of Djibouti for sending a congratulatory message, and pledged to work closely with the country to integrate its agenda within the UN Security Council.
"The fact that we were bidding for the same seat does not change our relationship and we are glad that the President of Djibouti has sent us a congratulatory message, we look forward to integrating any agenda that Djibouti has and within the United Nations Security Council we shall join it with our agenda and together we shall move forward," Namwamba said.
Kenya's victory was largely attributed to its support for refugees from Somalia and South Sudan, as well as its contributions to UN peacekeeping efforts. The country's 10-point agenda for the two-year term at the Security Council will focus on regional stability and peace, with a key emphasis on championing for African and global consensus on security issues.
"We already have a solid agenda and we will be seeking to rally African and global consensus around security issues that we have identified. Kenya will definitely flag terrorism as one of its key agenda and seek ways to dismantle it," he said.
