This archive report was first published on 31 October 2019.
Kenya's bid for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council (UNSC) has gained momentum, with President Uhuru Kenyatta announcing the launch of the campaign on November 7.
The event will take place in New York City and will be presided over by Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma, as revealed by the President in a speech to the 18th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Saturday.
"Following Kenya's endorsement by the African Union, my Foreign Minister Monica Juma will officially launch Kenya's candidature for the UNSC non-permanent seat on November 7," the President said in a speech read on his behalf by CAS Ababu Namwamba.
Kenya's endorsement by the AU came in August, after it defeated Djibouti with 37 votes against 13. However, Djibouti has since rescinded its earlier decision to respect the AU's vote, announcing that it will continue to vie for the non-permanent seat.
"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," Djibouti's Permanent Representative to the UN Mohamed Siad Doualeh said.
President Kenyatta urged NAM member states to support Kenya's bid, noting that it would be one of the ways of endorsing the consensus and ruled-based decision by the AU.
Kenya has a unique pedigree and experience that will add value to the Security Council in its efforts to address contemporary threats to the world, while also offering an opportunity to help pursue UN reforms to secure greater space for the global south, the President said.
