South Africa officials have explained why the country declined to back Kenya's Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed for the African Union chair post.
Amina's bid was expected to be given a boost from South Africa following President Jacob Zuma's visit.
However, Zuma’s delegation revealed that South Africa is part of the 15 countries that make up SADC that had earlier decided to back Botswana’s Foreign Minister Pelonomi Venson Moitoi for the AU top position.
"South Africa is bound by the decision of the countries of the south who have endorsed the candidature of Dr Pelonomi Venson Motoi, the Foreign minister of Botswana to succeed Dr Dlamini-Zuma,” South Africa’s International Relations minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said.
Other candidates who will be battling out with Amb Amina are former Ugandan Vice President Specioza Wandira Kazibwe and the Equatorial Guinea Foreign Minister Agapito Mba Mokuy
It is however still possible that Kenya can lobby more countries for their support between now and January.