DJIBOUTI (Halbeeg News) – Kenya could not represent Africa at UN Security Council as it disputes with Somalia over the border, Djibouti minister said Wednesday.
In a meeting with foreign ambassadors in his country, Djibouti minister for Foreign Affairs Mohamud Ali Yussuf said the East Africa country is already involving in issues that deteriorate the stability in Somalia.
“We think Kenya is a threat to Somalia, Kenya could use its UNSC membership to exert pressure on Somalia over a maritime border dispute and that could escalate the situation,” he said.
The minister stated that Djibouti is concerned over Kenya’s efforts to use the power of seat against Somalia.
“I hope such country with that extent threat, cannot be entrusted with affairs of the region as well as that of the continent, because if the dispute escalates, it can affect both countries and the region,” the minister warned.
Djibouti and Kenya are competing to secure non-permanent membership of the Security Council.
The two countries went before the African Union in Addis where members voted in favor of Kenya.
Nairobi garnered 37 votes against Djibouti’s 13 in the second round of voting in which 51 of the 55 AU member states were present.
Despite its victory over Djibouti in AU, for Kenya to be a member of UNSC, it should win at least two-thirds votes of the UN member states when the election is held in New York next year in June.
Djibouti Permanent Representative to the UN and Ambassador to the US Mohamed Siad Doualeh has confirmed that his county will not quit the race for a non-permanent membership slot at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) despite the endorsement of Kenya’s candidature by AU.
Traditionally, elections at all UN bodies are done through formal balloting even if candidates have been endorsed by their regional group or are unopposed.
The OIC with 57-member countries threw its weight behind Djibouti candidacy for UNSC seat.
Discussion about this post