UN CS Needs to Have a Voice for Africa
The UN Security Council opened the week by discussing African representation on the body, at the proposal of the presidency, which is held this month by Sierra Leone. The session was chaired by Sierra Leone's President, Julius Maada Bio.
Julius Maada Bio presented arguments for stronger representation of the continent in the 15-member body; the President of Sierra Leone indicated that there was a "light at the end of the tunnel" with new attitudes from the five permanent members.
After the meeting, Bio gave an interview to UN News, where he emphasized that optimism must be maintained and this aspiration, which has been on the UN agenda for over 40 years, must be promoted.
Injustice to the African Continent
Sierra Leone's President calls for a renewed spirit in a changing world, with leaders rising and falling. Bio said he is trying to convince his counterparts in Africa and around the world of the injustice done to the continent.
As the United Nations approaches its 80th anniversary, Julius Maada Bio states that the current structure and configuration of the UN Security Council cannot continue, as he considers it unfair to a continent with more than 1,3 billion people.
Bio justifies his optimism by emphasizing that Africa and the world must fully support this process, which is taking place at a time when issues such as democracy, justice, and representation are being debated.
For him, the African underrepresentation in the UN Security Council, both at the level of permanent and non-permanent members, affects the legitimacy of the body, because its mandate “cannot be easily executed in Africa” without the views of countries in the region.
P5 Momentum and Commitments
Bio stated that there is now a necessary momentum and commitments made by all representatives of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, also known as the P5, which he called “light at the end of the tunnel".
In this new reality, he points out as his mission “raise awareness in the world that the continent has also come of age".
The President of Sierra Leone highlighted that Africa represents 54 of the 193 member states of the United Nations and must therefore “stop being just a territory for proxy wars and being used by others”.
African Leadership
The President of Sierra Leone argues that the continent “has a voice, knows your problems and must have the floor”, since it occupies more than 60% of the issues discussed in the UN Security Council and hosts the majority of the body’s activities.
The Head of State of Sierra Leone stated that African leaders need to “wake up again and realize that you cannot be part of a world organization and not be part of its main body, the UN Security Council".
According to Bio, after several years of trials and tribulations, much has been learned from Africa's partnership with the United Nations and various other institutions and states.
Conclusion
The fight for fairer African representation on the UN Security Council reflects a long-standing desire for balance and equity. Julius Maada Bio, by bringing this issue to the forefront once again, reinforces the urgent need to restructure a body that, to date, has maintained a system that fails to reflect current geopolitical realities.
With growing support from the permanent members of the UN Security Council, the African continent is in a crucial position to demand fairer and more adequate representation. However, the success of this endeavor depends on the cohesion and determination of African leaders to ensure that their demands are taken seriously.
Representation on the UN Security Council could significantly contribute to a future where global decisions fairly consider Africa's needs and challenges, promoting more equitable peace and justice for the world.
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Picture: © 2023 UN
