Seven nations vying for five UN Security Council seats
18 June, 2020
The UN General Assembly on Wednesday will elect five new members of the Security Council for 2021 and 2022, with battles underway for the Western and African seats.
Kenya and Djibouti are facing off for just one seat, while in the Western bloc, 3 nations -- Canada, Ireland and Norway -- are vying for two seats among them.
In the Asia-Pacific, India -- which has been trying unsuccessfully to win a long term seat in an expanded Security Council -- is assured of a seat since it is working unopposed, as is Mexico in the Latin America and Caribbean region.
But Africa failed to continue its tradition of deciding candidates among themselves, setting the stage for a showdown on Wednesday.
Kenya boasts of enjoying the support of the African Union, but Djibouti says it should have the seat due to Nairobi's past participation on the Security Council and the principle of rotation.
French-speaking Djibouti and English-speaking Kenya happen to be both highlighting their roles on searching for peace on the Horn of Africa, together with their contributions to UN peacekeeping choices.
Kenya has pointed to its welcome to refugees from Somalia and South Sudan, aswell concerning its support to the two countries' fragile governments.
Djibouti, subsequently, notes its strategic position and unusual role simply because a good defense base for diverse countries -- France, america, China and Japan -- as well as its contributions in Somalia.
For Europe, your competition is more customary.
Canada is still stung by a good defeat this year 2010 during its last bid for the Security Council, when the overall Assembly chose Portugal instead.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invested heavily found in the most recent Security Council work, with a good defeat potentially creating him political embarrassment in the home.
Celine Dion vs Bono
Wishing to woo delegates, both Canada and Ireland possess presented superstar power. Celine Dion sang in New York City to market Canada at the United Nations, while U2 also performed a concert in the Big Apple for Ireland.
"Campaigning for a good UNSC seat involves endless lobbying, entertaining and worrying that the ambassador who merely promised you a vote is a liar," tweeted Richard Gowan, a specialist about the world body at the International Crisis Group.
Fearing fraud or perhaps manipulation, the General Assembly won't vote electronically, despite the fact that the United Countries is mainly operating virtually before end of July as a result of coronavirus pandemic.
Instead, each one of the 193 delegations could have an opportunity to cast a secret ballot at a specified time scattered throughout the day in the famous Assembly Hall.
Each brand-new Security Council member must win two-thirds of the votes cast -- meaning 128 votes if all 193 nations vote. Delegates could need to vote multiple times to certify a winner.
The Security Council has 10 non-permanent members in addition to the veto-wielding Big Five -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.
The General Assembly will also elect Wednesday its president for the 2020-21 session.
Only one candidate is going, Turkish diplomat Volkan Boz kir. But Armenia, Cyprus and Greece -- all of which have historically tense relations with Turkey -- possess opposed him, signifying he can't be elected by consensus and nations will need to cast votes.
Source: www.thejakartapost.com
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