Three E. African countries elected to International Telecommunications Union

By Fauxile Kibet

NAIROBI: Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have been elected to the Council of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

According to the United Nations specialized agency for ICTs, Kenya ranked top in the continent, scoring 140 votes, followed closely by Algeria which garnered 134 points and Morroco which got 133 votes.

Uganda and Rwanda also ranked among 13 best countries in the continent which include Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.

The 13 countries will now represent the continent to one of the key decision making organs at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

The high ranking by African countries in the ongoing ITU plenipotentiary Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) underscores the credibility of the continent in the global ICT community.

Africa now has 13 positions on the 48-member body that governs ITU’s activities in the interval between Plenipotentiary Conferences. Its role is to consider broad telecommunication policy issues to ensure that the Union’s activities, policies and strategies fully respond to today’s dynamic, rapidly changing telecommunications environment.

Also, the ITU Council is mandated to prepare a report on the policy and strategic planning of the ITU and responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the Union, coordinating work programmes, approving budgets and controlling finances and expenditure.