Africa’s Strong Case for UN Security Council Reform Led by Sierra Leone’s President – World Issues
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, Sep 09 (IPS) – In many international conferences, including the annual high-level debate of the UN General Assembly, the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, has always highlighted the injustices of the global system, especially the absence of Africa in the permanent category and its underrepresentation in the country . non-permanent section of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
President Bio is the coordinator of the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government on UNSC Reform, known as the C-10, a platform he uses to increase his advocacy for UNSC reform.
This year, he has been more vocal, as Sierra Leone currently holds a non-permanent seat on the Security Council and presides over the Council for the month of August.
For example, in his statement to the Security Council chambers on 12 August, President Bio emphasized the outdated nature of the current UNSC structure. “The current structure of the Security Council reflects an outdated world order, an era that fails to recognize Africa’s growing importance and contributions,” he said.
In the following discussion no African Renaissancethe president pointed out that the continent is home to 1.3 billion people and 54 of the 193 UN member states—an important part of the world community.
“We will not just be a place for independent wars. We know what our problems are, and we must have a say in how to solve them,” he said, adding that more than 60 percent of the issues discussed in the Security Council affect Africa.
It is wrong for Africa to be sidelined in the 21st century, he said, declaring: “I am asking all African leaders and all the representatives of justice and democracy around the world to fight against this injustice.”
As the UN prepares to celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2025, President Bio asserted that the celebration will only be meaningful if the current composition of the Council is changed, reflecting the frustration of many African leaders who feel that the continent’s concerns are often ignored.
African demands
Africa wants at least two permanent seats on the UN Security Council and two additional non-permanent seats, bringing the number of non-permanent seats to five.
In addition, Africa advocates the abolition of the veto power. However, if the veto is upheld, President Bio insisted that it should be extended to all new permanent members as a matter of fairness.
The President divided Africa’s possible support for seeking more representation in the Security Council into two categories: support from the rest of the continent and support from major international powers.
Although support from within the continent is inevitable, he acknowledged that the challenges posed by the P-5, (the five permanent members of the Security Council), exercise considerable power in the Council. “The biggest issue we have is with P-5. They have the gate. They have to let us in.”
Despite these challenges, he was encouraged that “They have seen the fact that Africa has been mistreated.”
Ugcizele said: “There is a new spirit, the world has changed, leaders come and go. What I am trying to do is to convince my colleagues in Africa and the rest of the world that the injustice done in Africa will not be accepted.”
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, supports Africa’s demands for reforms in the UNSC. “We cannot accept that the preeminent organization for peace and security in the world does not have a permanent voice for a continent of more than a billion people – young and growing rapidly – 28 percent of the members of the United Nations,” said Guterres. 12 August meeting.
He added, “And we cannot accept that African views are being underestimated in questions of peace and security, on the continent and around the world.”
To ensure the full credibility of the Council and legitimacy, he stressed the importance of “listening to the long calls from the UN General Assembly, the various groups of regions – from the Arab Group to the countries of Benelux, Nordic, and CARICOM – and other permanent members of this Council. itself, to correct this and justice.”
I call on all African leaders and all the representatives of justice and democracy around the world to fight against this injustice.
Studies on the civil war in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war (1991-2002) may have shaped President Bio’s views on conflict resolution and international negotiation.
“After all the fighting, after destroying everything, we solved our problems at the negotiating table,” he pointed out, stressing the importance of dialogue and building consensus.
Taking from the experience of Sierra Leone, he thought that Africa plays an important role in the peace and security of the world. “We learned a lot—partnership, international cooperation, negotiation, and the need to build consensus.
“What we bring to the table within the UN Security Council is how we can be a bridge, how we can support international cooperation as a means of peace and security around the world.”
Empowerment of women
Beyond global governance, Sierra Leone has adopted progressive gender policies under the leadership of President Bio. For example, the country passed a law mandating, among other provisions, that at least 30 percent of positions in the private and public sector, including the cabinet, be held by women—a major step toward gender equality.
Earlier this year, Sierra Leone also passed a law banning child marriage.
“It would be a mistake to talk about development if you keep more than half of your people in the kitchen or if you don’t give them enough power to be part of the power that will change the nation,” he said.
Empowering women, she emphasized, starts with education. This focus on education is part of a broader strategy to transform the people of Sierra Leone, which President Bio considers the nation’s most important resource.
He said: “When you talk about Sierra Leone, you think about diamonds, gold and other natural things. .”
Climate change
As the leader of one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, President Bio highlighted Sierra Leone’s challenges in dealing with increasing climate conditions. “When it rains, it has the power to cause the infrastructure to be flooded, we see cars floating, houses swept away,” he said, comparing similar disasters in more developed countries.
In response, Sierra Leone launched a national climate action campaign focused on reforestation, improving drainage systems, and educating the public about the importance of the environment.
“The fight against climate change requires cooperation, locally and globally,” he stressed.
On the issue of money fleeing Africa, President Bio emphasized his deep sense of pride in Africa and its power. He urged Africans to acquire knowledge and skills from Western countries and bring those lessons back to build their communities back in Africa.
“A home is a home. No one will fix that home. We have to fix that home,” he emphasized.
The source: The Renaissance of Africa
IPS UN Bureau
Follow @IPSNewsUNBureau
Follow IPS News UN Bureau on Instagram
© Inter Press Service (2024) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service