Israel and Algeria are the latest countries to back Kenya’s bid for the UNSC non-permanent seat for 2021-22.
Israel Ambassador Joseph Oded on Tuesday said his country will support Kenya’s bid when he met Deputy President William Ruto at his Karen office.
He said Israel recognises the vital role played by Kenya in regional security, adding that the position would further strengthen its activities in the fight against terrorism and extremism.
The envoy further noted that his country will continue to support Kenya in the war against terrorism among other criminal activities in the region.
Algeria on Tuesday also pledged to support Kenya’s bid. Outgoing Algerian Ambassador Salah Elhamdi spoke at State House when he paid a farewell call on President Kenyatta.
“President [Uhuru] Kenyatta welcomed Algeria’s support and commended the outgoing ambassador for the role he played in enhancing relations between Kenya and Algeria, pointing out that the two countries hold similar aspirations for their people, in Africa and on the global stage,” State House said after the meeting.
Outgoing Algerian Ambassador Salah Elhamdi, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Foreign Affairs PS Macharia Kamau at State House Nairobi on Tuesday PHOTO/ PSCU
Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka on Wednesday also presented the #Kenya4UNSC 2021-22 bid document to the Swedish delegation during a bilateral meeting on the margins of the 141st Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Belgrade Serbia, pegging the bid on humanitarian action and peace and security.
While Kenya hosts many refugees from the region, Serbia has around 4,200 refugees and migrants who arrived during the European Refugee Situation. Additionally, UNHCR data shows, there are over 26,500 refugees and 199,500 IDPs from the ex-Yugoslavia region, and some 2,100 persons at risk of statelessness.
Guinea also endorsed Kenya’s bid last week when Foreign Affairs minister Mamadi Touré visited Kenya for a two-day official tour.
“We made a commitment to work together to ensure a successful campaign for the UNSC,” Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma said.
Ruto had asked Israel, through Ambassador Oded, to support Kenya’s bid for the post.
“Israel has officially made its stand to support Kenya’s bid for the United Nation’s Security Council non-permanent seat for 2021-2022. This is because Kenya has proven it can play an important role in matters of regional security,” Oded said.
During the meeting, Ruto said the country would continue to play a leading role in peace, security and conflict management in the Horn of Africa and in the world.
“As a country, we appreciate the support from Israel in terms of security cooperation that has been beneficial in the fight against terrorism activities in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. This is a global threat that we must work together to eliminate,” Ruto said.
