By John Ikani
The United Nations General Assembly elected Mozambique, Ecuador, Japan, Malta and Switzerland to the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday for two-year term starting on Jan. 1, 2023.
All five countries ran unopposed for a spot on the 15-member body, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security. They will replace India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Norway.
Ambassadors applauded each country after its name was read out by the President of the General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, while announcing the results.
Ecuador received 190 votes, Japan 184, Malta 185, Mozambique 192 and Switzerland 187.
The Security Council consists of 15 countries. Five of them – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States – are permanent members with the right to veto.
The General Assembly, which comprises all 193 UN Member States, elects the 10 non-permanent members who serve a two-year term.
The five newly-elected countries will join Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates who secured a place at the UNSC in January.
To secure a place on the Council, countries must receive two-thirds majority, or 128 votes, even if they run uncontested.
Candidates in 2022 vied for five seats under three regional groups: two for African and Asia-Pacific countries, one for Latin America and the Caribbean, and two for Western Europe and other States.
Overall, 192 UN Member States participated in the election.
The Security Council is the only U.N. body that can make legally binding decisions like imposing sanctions and authorizing use of force. It has five permanent veto-wielding members: the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia.
