Kenya is set to reap huge benefits if it joins the United Nations Security Council. In last night’s contest, Kenya garnered 113 votes against Djibouti’s 78 votes – By Gerald Gekara and Agencies
However, the victor is supposed to sweep at least 128 votes.
As the country eagerly waits for the second round of voting, it is important to understand Kenya’s position if it manages to clinch the seat.
The Security Council, determines when and where a UN peace operation should be deployed. It takes many different factors into account when considering the establishment of new peace operation, including:
- Whether there is a ceasefire in place and the parties have committed themselves to a peace process intended to reach a political settlement;
- Whether the safety and security of UN personnel can be reasonably ensured, including in particular whether reasonable guarantees can be obtained from the main parties or factions regarding the safety and security of UN personnel.
The Security Council establishes a peace operation by adopting a Security Council resolution.
The Security Council monitors the work of UN peace operations on an ongoing basis, including through periodic reports from the Secretary-General and by holding dedicated Security Council sessions to discuss the work of specific operations.
While other organs of the UN make recommendations to Member States, the Council alone has the power to take decisions which Member States are obligated to implement.
Kenya has been a vibrant member of the United Nations, due to its regular deployment of forces to the peace keeping missions. Its recent onslaught on the Al-shabaab will also be a key consideration, as well as its neutral stance to world politics.
If Djibouti’s wins, then all three seats on the UNSC will be held by French-speaking African countries. While its diplomats have downplayed this scenario, offering that it has happened before (in 2001), Kenya has in turn leaned on the AU’s endorsement to drive its campaign.
Earlier this year, Kenya said Djibouti’s decision to stick to the race “brings dishonor and disrepute to the African Union.” Djibouti, on the other hand, has termed the AU’s process and decision as ‘illegal.’
The competition between the two has been likened to that of the East/West dynamic, with China and Russia backing Djibouti and the other three permanent members behind Kenya.
