This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
Published on August 22, 2019
Kenya's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council has hit a snag after Djibouti, its rival candidate, announced a U-turn in its campaign.
On Wednesday, the African Union voted in favor of Kenya, with 37 votes against Djibouti's 13. However, Djibouti's Permanent Representative to the UN, Mohamed Siad Doualeh, has now stated that his country will continue to vie for the seat, taking its campaign directly to UN member states.
“Djibouti reaffirms its decision to continue its bid to secure a seat at the Security Council for the period 2021-2022. We thank all UN member states that have formally expressed to support Djibouti,” the envoy tweeted.
The contest between Djibouti and Kenya reached the African Union vote after the two failed to agree by consensus who should be Africa's candidate. Kenya had defeated Djibouti three weeks earlier but failed to garner the two-thirds majority required.
According to the rules of procedure at the UN General Assembly, winners for the non-permanent seat must garner at least two-thirds of the votes of the member states. Kenya needs at least 129 votes when the election for the seat is held next year in June.
