This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
On August 5, 2019, Kenya garnered 33 out of 49 ballots cast by members present in the first vote, falling short of the required two-thirds vote of the 55 States. However, Kenya secured the African Union's endorsement to represent the continent at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a two-year term, replacing South Africa whose term expires in December 2020.
Kenya beat Djibouti 37 against 13 in the second vote held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent the region as a non-permanent member in 2021-2022. The African Union will present Kenya (Eastern) to the UNSC for elections to be held in New York in June 2020, subsequently joining Niger (western) and Tunisia (Northern) that were elected in June 2019 to serve in 2020-2021.
President Uhuru Kenyatta will embark on a mission to rally the support of at least two-thirds of the vote at the United Nations (UN), requiring at least 129 votes at the UN General Assembly (UNGA), which currently has 193 members with voting rights. Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma praised the AU Permanent Representative Committee for putting their trust in Kenya, stating, “The endorsement is an affirmation that Kenya has remained true to the decision and aspirations of the AU and confirms that it is safe and dependable pair of hands.”
