This archive report was first published on 16 October 2019.
Kenya's bid to secure a seat at the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member has received a significant boost, with Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka highlighting the country's contributions to regional security, humanitarianism, and peacekeeping.
Speaking at the 141st Assembly of the Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU) in Belgrade, Serbia, on October 16, 2019, Lusaka underscored Kenya's efforts in Operation Linda Nchi, its contribution to AMISOM troops in Somalia, and its role as a host to over 600,000 refugees.
“Kenya seeks to join the Security Council because we believe we can further make a positive contribution to global peace and security and promote ideas for the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said Lusaka.
Kenya's campaign is themed: ‘Peace and Security for Sustainable Development’.
The African Union endorsed Kenya's candidature for a Non-Permanent Seat of the UNSC in August 2019, recognizing and appreciating the country's role in strengthening international law and contribution to regional cooperation.
The UN's Security Council has the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security, with robust powers including the imposition of sanctions and authorisation of military action when international peace is threatened.
Speaker Lusaka also expressed concerns over the escalation of the Somalia-Kenya Maritime Boundary Dispute by Somalia to the International Court of Justice, emphasizing that sustainable resolution of the dispute can be achieved using the mechanisms provided by the African Union.
