Africa demands immediate reform of the United Nations Security Council to increase its membership and abolish the veto power, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told the national parliament.
‘The reform of the UN Security Council is vital to global efforts to promote peace and stability on the planet. South Africa says that the international political and economic system remains unequal and unjust. We urge urgent reform of the UN Security Council based on the common position of African countries. This position provides for two permanent and five non-permanent seats for Africa. We call for the repeal of the veto. But according to it [the African position], as long as the veto exists, it remains a privilege that must apply to all new permanent members.’
Cyril Ramaphosa noted that in its current composition, the Security Council had failed to fulfil its obligations due to narrow national interests. ‘In recent years, the UN Security Council has been unable to prevent or resolve a series of devastating con
flicts,’ he continued. ‘This is evident in the conflicts currently raging in the Middle East, in Sudan, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and in Ukraine.
The failings of the Security Council have a catastrophic impact on the African continent and countries in the Global South, which often suffer the social and economic consequences of conflicts elsewhere. South Africa demands urgent reform of the Security Council and redress of the historical injustice against Africa.’
Source: Burkina Information Agency