Morocco
Morocco was on Wednesday voted to lead the United Nations Human Rights Council after beating off a challenge from South Africa.
In a vote in Geneva on Wednesday, Morocco’s Ambassador Omar Zniber was elected council president after polling 30 votes. His South African opponent, Mxolisi Nkosi, managed just 17 votes.
The ballot came after Africa, whose turn it was to assume the presidency of the Human Rights Council, failed to agree on a single candidate.
Prior to the vote, South Africa criticized Morocco's human rights record, saying the kingdom's election as chair of the Council would stain the UN rights body's legitimacy.
Morocco is seen by several African countries as an occupying power in Western Sahara. Rabat's candidacy was also opposed by its neighbor Algeria.
The UN Human Rights Council was established in 2006 with a mandate to protect and promote human rights around the worlds.
02:27
Hillside of white crosses fuels misleading story about South Africa farm killings
00:48
Cyril Ramaphosa arrives in Canada for G7 summit
02:15
South Sudan: women learn to rebuild lives after sexual violence
00:41
Devastating floods in Eastern Cape Leave 78 dead as rescue efforts continue
01:37
Kenyan police officer arrested after protests over blogger's death in custody
01:52
138 million child workers globally in 2024, number down from 2020