Kenya replaces South Africa on UN Security Council

Kenya has been elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, defeating Djibouti for a seat designated for African countries. UN member states chose the East African country in a second round of voting on Thursday in the General Assembly, with 192 ambassadors casting their ballots.

In the final tally, Kenya garnered 129 votes against Djibouti's 62 in voting that saw almost all member states vote. Tijjani Muhammad, president of the UN General Assembly, announced the winner after member states cast their ballots in pre-determined time slots due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In the first round on Wednesday Nairobi scored 113 votes against Djibouti's 78, a number insufficient to win the UN Security Council seat, triggering second-round voting.

Through a statement issued through the presidential press, Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya's president, welcomed the resounding victory and termed Kenya's win a demonstration of the country's growing profile and influence in the community of nations as a steadfast and dependable development partner.

Kenyatta thanked the Republic of Djibouti for being a worthwhile opponent and the African Union for the endorsement as the continent's flag-bearer in the contest. In his message Kenyatta also assured African countries of Kenya's commitment and said the country will endeavor to consolidate and voice Africa's position in the Security Council.

The victory means Kenya joins the 10 non-permanent members who will work alongside permanent members of Russia, China, the UK, the US and France to pass resolutions touching on global peace and security. Kenya, which will replace South Africa, joins Norway, Ireland, India and Mexico, which were elected on Wednesday as non-permanent members for a two-year term starting on January 1, 2021.

On Tuesday night during a virtual campaign meeting with permanent representatives of various countries to the United Nations hosted by Kenya ahead of UNSC elections, Kenyatta mounted a spirited campaign to ensure the country clinched the seat.

Kenyatta told the representatives Kenya's experience as the host nation of UN-Habitat and UNEP global headquarters places the country in an advantaged position to champion the world's sustainable development agenda. He persuaded the representatives to vote for Kenya based on the country's track record of democracy, respect for human rights and solidarity.