By Alusine Sesay
Sierra Leone’s President has said on Tuesday, August 10, 2024 that though the United Nations UN was founded on the principles of equality, justice, and the collective pursuit of peace, yet the current structure of the UN Security Council reflects an outdated world order, an era that fails to recognise Africa’s growing importance and contributions.
Dr Julius Maada Bio was speaking at the United Nations Security Council debate on ‘the maintenance of international peace and security: addressing the historical injustice and enhancing Africa’s effective representation in the UN Security Council’, at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Despite being home to over 1.3 billion people, and the 54 African countries making up 28 percent of the total membership of the UN, with significant contributions to peacekeeping and conflict resolution, Africa remains grossly underrepresented in this vital organ of the UN, President Bio said.
He said that it is now a settled view that the UN Security Council needs reforming, adding that the imperative for reform is irrefutable. ‘’Nearly 80 years after its creation, the Council has been stuck in time. Its imbalanced composition is at odds with current realities and unjust, undermining its legitimacy and effectiveness,’’ he said.
He said that Africa remains the unquestionable victim, noting that with the absence of structural change, the Security Council’s performance and legitimacy remain questionable.
He said that the legacy of colonialism, economic exploitation, and political marginalisation has left deep scars on the continent, affecting its development, stability, and influence in international affairs.
President Bio said that this underrepresentation is not merely an anomaly of statistics, but a profound historical injustice that must be addressed. ‘’As a consequence, and under the leadership of the C-10, Africa has been steadfast in its commitment to rectifying this injustice and imbalance of the UN Security Council.
As the Coordinator of the C-10, he said, Sierra Leone has spearheaded efforts to amplify Africa’s voice on this issue. Through the Common African Position as espoused in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, he said Africa has articulated a clear and compelling vision and model for reform, one that ensures equitable representation and meaningful participation of Africa in the Council, according to him.
He said that Africa demands two permanent seats in the UN Security Council and two additional non-permanent seats, bringing the total number of non-permanent seats to five.
‘’The African Union will choose the African Permanent Members. Africa wants the veto abolished. However, if UN Member States wish to retain the veto, it must be extended to all new Permanent Members as a matter of justice.’’
President Bio said that the Common African Position is premised on the fact that by rectifying the historical injustice, the international community will not only promote greater fairness, equity and equality in global governance, but also act on the imperative to ensure the legitimacy and effectiveness of the Council itself.
‘’It will further unlock Africa’s full potential as a dynamic and vibrant Continent capable of meaningfully contributing to the advancement of peace, security, and stability worldwide.
Africa’s experiences and perspectives remain invaluable in shaping comprehensive and effective solutions to global challenges,’’ President Bio said.