Africa needs bigger voice at UN - Lungu

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says that despite conflicts on the African continent forming most of the agenda of the United Nations Security Council, Africa remains the only continent without permanent representation on the UN Security Council.

And President Lungu has reiterated Zambia’s commitment to serve the United Nations and African Union peace-keeping operations.

In a statement read by Vice President Inonge Wina during the official opening of the 5th high level seminar on peace and security in Africa in Livingstone yesterday, President Lungu called on African countries that are representing the continent at the UN Security Council to strengthen their voices, as they represent the continent.

“We have an obligation to make the UN Security Council more representative, more democratic and more accountable. I would be remiss in my remarks if I did not reiterate Zambia’s position and the African position on the reform of the UN Security Council,” he said.

He said it is an undeniable fact that, peace, security and rule of law form an important part of the co-existence as humanity and continue to be the basis of any meaningful development of any society.

President Lungu said in keeping with that understanding, the Zambian government has endeavoured to march in solidarity with nations that have continued to support peace and security efforts around the continent.

“I wish to reiterate Zambia’s commitment to continue to contribute towards all initiatives for peace and stability, across the African continent, through its membership to the AU-Peace and Security Council, as well as the SADC organ Troika on politics, defence and security cooperation,” Mr Lungu said.

“Given the complex of today’s global security threats including on the African continent, it is evident that the UN and the AU must engage extensively in order to resolve the challenges we are faced with today,” said President Lungu.

The President said the growing incidences of extremism and terrorist activities marked by murders and destruction in Africa and several other parts of the world are so appalling and must drive all countries to intensify efforts to combat the scourge.

“In this regard, I implore this high level seminar, to provide an opportunity to develop modalities towards attaining the goals for the ‘Africa we want.”

And President Lungu has reiterated Zambia’s commitment to serve in UN and AU peace-keepings operations.

Speaking earlier, Commissioner for peace and security at the AU Smail Chergui said that peace and security play an important role in society.

Mr. Chergui said that it was high time Africa found solutions to the increasing cases of conflicts being reported in Africa.

He said the continent continues to suffer from various conflicts of terrorism and extremism which leads to destruction of infrastructure.