Leaders want equality, reform of UN council

Leaders from Africa speaking at the 75th General Assembly in New York recently presented a strong case for reform of the United Nations Security Council to ensure that all members can relate on the basis of equality rather than the current scenario where

THE African Union chairperson, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, said the current structure and composition of the Security Council did not reflect the world in which we live.

For example, the five permanent members have veto power, but none is from Africa, yet the continent provides the largest membership of the UN.

The United Nations has 193 member states of which 54 are from Africa, Asia-Pacific has 53, the Eastern European Group (23), the Western European and Others Group (28), while the Latin American and Caribbean Group has 33 members.

The remaining two members are observer states — the State of Palestine and the Holy See.

The five permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, with three of them from Europe. The permanent members have the power of veto, meaning that the Council cannot implement any decision if one of the five permanent members objects to it.

The Security Council has 10 additional, non-permanent members elected for twoyear terms by the UN General Assembly.

However, these members do not have veto powers.

A country which is a member of the UN, but not the Security Council, may participate or be invited when the council considers that interests of the country are affected, however, without a vote in the discussions.

Conditions of participation are set by the council, which determines all important decisions on peace and security in the world.

Ironically, Africa is the recipient of the most declarations on peace and security, but continues to be marginalised in influencing such decisions.

The current composition of the Security Council does not refl ect the world in which we live, Cde Ramaphosa said, adding that “on the 75th anniversary of the UN we repeat our call for greater representation of African countries on the Security Council, and that this be taken up with urgency at the Intergovernmental Negotiations.

“It is only through a reformed and inclusive UN Security Council that we will be able to collectively resolve some of the worlds most protracted conflicts.”

The outgoing chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, President Mnangagwa, said it was regrettable that Africa continued to be misrepresented at the UN Security Council despite the continent having the largest membership.

He said there was need for the UN to implement the Ezulwini Consensus made by Africa in 2005.

The Ezulwini Consensus is based on the idea of regional representation rather than the current UN system of representation by individual countries. The consensus calls for expansion of the Council from 15 to 26 members, with fair representation from Africa.

On the selection of Africa’s permanent representatives in the council, the consensus clearly states that the question of the criteria for the selection of African members of the Security Council should be a matter for the AU to determine, taking into consideration the representative nature and capacity of those chosen.

A permanent seat for Africa on the UN Security Council will allow the continent to at least have some voice in all decision-making organs of the UN, setting the stage for the reconstruction of global affairs.

It is deeply regrettable that the reform of the Security Council and the implementation of Africa’s position has not been achieved, said President Mnangagwa.

“We cannot continue with a situation where over 16 percent of the world’s population does not have a voice in decision making,” he said.

“Th is is a serious indictment to our avowed commitment to multi-lateralism and the basic principles of natural justice, fairness and equity.”

Africa called for a united front to address the spread and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Zambian President Edgar Lungu called on the global community to share knowledge on Covid-19 and expertise to improve the livelihoods of all.

The post coronavirus landscape will require urgent action to guarantee and to lay a solid foundation for a better world, he said, adding that there was need for enhanced collaboration in the search for a vaccine.

His Malawian counterpart, President Lazarus Chakwera agreed, adding that the impact of Covid-19 has disproportionately impacted least developed landlocked countries.

In this regard, there is need for the international community to support the roll out of a comprehensive stimulus package in response to Covid-19 for African countries.

Such a package would help to mitigate the health implications of Covid-19 and assist to rebuild shuttered economies, while ensuring that no country is left behind. With regard to new and emerging challenges such as climate change, illicit flows and terrorism, the continent said a more coordinated approach will help the world to address these challenges.

In southern Africa, climate change has increased the frequency and impact of disasters such as floods and drought, thus impacting on development and integration.

A recent food security assessment indicates that southern Africa has a cereal deficit of more than 5,4 million tonnes this year following a subdued 2018/19 farming season.

The region is also showing relatively high cases of malnutrition, with several countries reporting stunting rates of above 30 percent while obesity rates are above 10 percent of the population.

It is against this background that African leaders called for tighter measures to address these challenges, with Namibian President Hage Geingob urging the global community to fully implement the Paris Agreement, which aims to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Africa called for the lift ing of all economic sanctions imposed against Zimbabwe and Sudan to allow those countries to focus on developing their economies.

The leaders called for an end to the illegal occupation of Western Sahara and for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.

“These (sanctions) are a breach of international law and compromise Zimbabwe’s capacity to achieve sustainable development,” President Ramaphosa said, calling on the General Assembly to strongly pronounce itself against these unilateral illegal sanctions.

Th e chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana said there is a need for the global community to work together on combating terrorism.

Some parts of SADC, particularly the Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique are under threat from acts of extremism and terrorism, and there are fears that it could spread if not properly addressed. — sardc.net.