An Appeal for Change in the United Nations Security Council: Redressing Past Injustice and Raising Africa’s Profile
Hey there! A Dynamic Planet, A Defunct Council
The UN Security Council (UNSC), an institution vital to maintaining international stability, is coming under increasing fire for being structurally antiquated. Its design reflects a post-WWI global order that was in place when it was formed. The United Nations Security Council has fallen out of favor as the world’s geopolitical dynamics have changed, especially due to the rise of new nations and areas. Considering that Africa is home to more than a billion people but does not have a permanent representative on the Security Council, this is clearly the case.
African Marginalization and the Historical Injustice
The colonial-era factors that led to Africa’s marginalization within the UNSC persist today. Most African states were still colonized and excluded from international decision-making when the UN was created in 1945. These countries are strong players in international politics today, although they still have few UNSC representatives. The legitimacy of the Council is called into question by the absence of African representation, which in turn lowers the continent’s influence on issues of peace and security.
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has spoken out strongly on the subject, calling for change to right this wrong from the past. He claims that if the UN Security Council ignores Africa’s role in global governance, it will undermine its legitimacy and credibility.
A Call for Radical Change
The demands for change are not fresh. Some permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, as well as CARICOM, the Nordic nations, the Arab Group, and the Benelux countries, have long pushed for reform. At issue here is the idea that the United Nations Security Council as it stands now fails to take into account the realities of modern times. For all nations, but especially those in Africa, to have a voice in international organizations, change is required.
For the purpose of guiding these conversations, Mr. Guterres has referenced the New Agenda for Peace, his policy brief. The Pact of the Future, to be adopted at the forthcoming Summit of the Future, is being negotiated around this theme. Important steps toward resolving these concerns, like amplifying African perspectives, bolstering African efforts, and meeting African needs, can be taken advantage of at this summit.
The United Nations Security Council Organization
The arguments for change can be better understood if one is familiar with the UNSC’s organizational structure. The fifteen-member Council is made up of five veto-wielding permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US) and ten non-permanent members chosen at the regional level. Only three of these temporary seats are reserved for African nations. This regional allotment is controversial because it does not take into account the increasing importance of Africa and its role in ensuring global security.
Equal participation on the United Nations Security Council is an issue that has been discussed for a while. There have been attempts to resolve the matter, such as through intergovernmental negotiations and the General Assembly’s open-ended working group. Although some small modifications have been made, like automatically scheduling an Assembly debate whenever a veto is used, they are not enough to address the pressing issues.
Africa’s Crucial Position in Ensuring International Stability
No one can exaggerate Africa’s importance to world security. Many of the world’s most critical security issues have been tackled by African nations, whether it’s through mediation efforts or peacekeeping missions. Using his experiences in South Sudan and Haiti, President Dennis Francis of the General Assembly emphasized this function in his speech to the United Nations Security Council. While in South Sudan, he spoke with IDPs and observed the vital work of UNMISS, highlighting the significance of Africa’s role in ensuring global security.
Similarly, when Council resolution 2699 was adopted, Mr. Francis addressed the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) to Haiti, which Kenya leads. The increasing role of Africa in global security is demonstrated by these examples, which add weight to the case for its increased representation in the UNSC.
Moving Forward: Engaging in Constructive Conversations for Real Change
Reforming the UN Security Council is about more than simply righting past wrongs; it’s also about making international lawmaking more accessible and efficient for all. In order to accomplish significant reform, Mr. Francis has urged Member States to participate constructively in international negotiations. In order to regain the public’s faith in the United Nations, we must find solutions that are in line with modern reality.
If we want to ensure lasting peace on a global scale, we must reform the UN Security Council, which is no easy feat. The United Nations may make great strides toward building a more just and efficient system of global governance by increasing Africa’s representation. This change would fix mistakes from the past and ensure that the UN Security Council can handle the security threats of the modern era.
Final Thoughts: A Request for Measures
A pivotal chance to resolve these concerns and advance toward a more inclusive and representative UNSC will be presented at the forthcoming Summit of the Future. If Africa wants its demands to be addressed and its voice heard, all Member States must share their perspectives. The international community must take immediate action to change the UN Security Council so that it more accurately represents the world in the present day, rather than the one in 1945.
