Wednesday June 17, 2020
NAIROBI (HOL) - The Organisation of Islamic States (OIC) has thrown its weight behind Djibouti for the UN Security Council as the UN Assembly heads for a vote today.
The 57 member bloc told its member states in a statement to cast their vote in favour of Djibouti for a non-permanent seat.
Kenya has been officially endorsed by the Africa Union for the seat after it trounced Djibouti last year in a continental vote.
Djibouti however contested the results and went ahead to marshal support from Muslim countries.
Djibouti argues that Kenya has occupied the seat two times-1977-78 and 1997-98 while it (Djibouti) has sat at the 15 member Council only once in 1993-94.
“The OIC General Secretariat wishes to request the support of all member states for the Republic of
Djibouti’s candidacy in a spirit of solidarity and joint Islamic action,” OIC told its members.
Kenya has in the last one year put up a global campaign targeting European and Latin America countries.
President Uhuru Kenyatta went on a shuttle diplomacy in South America last seeking support for the seat.
The UN General Assembly will cast its vote virtually at 10pm East África Time.