NAIROBI, 21 August 2019 (PSCU) – President Uhuru Kenyatta has welcomed the African Union’s endorsement of Kenya’s bid for a UN Security Council seat and called on the rest of the United Nations member states to support the country's candidature.

The President said the backing by the African Union is a mark of confidence in Kenya’s capability to represent the continent’s interests at the global arena.

Kenya won the Eastern Africa region spot after garnering 37 votes against Djibouti’s 13 during an election held by the African Union Permanent Representatives’ Committee (AU PRC) today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

President Kenyatta expressed confidence that with the support of the continental body, the country is better placed to secure the non-permanent seat for the period 2020 to 2021 the during the elections scheduled for June next year.

“I am grateful to the African Union's PRC for the confidence they have shown by endorsing our candidature for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) non-permanent seat,” said the President.

The President, who called on the rest of the UN member states to back Kenya during the June 2020 elections, said the country's bid is informed by the critical role the UN Security Council plays in the maintenance of international peace and security.

The African Union will present Kenya (Eastern Africa), Niger (Western Africa) and Tunisia (Northern Africa) for the UNSC elections.