Kenya’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN) Martin Kimani has stated that the war Russia-Ukraine and Israel invasion of Palestine might lead to the collapse of organization.
Speaking at the UN’s General Assembly 57th Plenary meeting on Monday, February 26, Kimani pointed out UN’s inaction in the ongoing war.
He said the UN’s Security Council has faced criticism for its inaction in multiple situations.
However, he explained that mere criticism will not halt the UN’s weakening.
“Inaction in having the boldness to use our existing tools, and the Summit of the Future in particular this year, to transform the UN will have dire consequences for us all,” he said.
UN is at a Crossroads
The Ambassador said the decision taken by the Assembly will determine whether UN will collapse or redeem itself and become more influential.
He urged the Security Council to redouble its efforts to find a way to support a mediation that will halt the war in Ukraine.
“This year represents a crossroads: the path we choose will determine whether the UN fades into irrelevance, as the League of Nations once did, or whether we seize this moment to bolster this institution, restore its influence, and strengthen our collective resolve,” he said.
Additionally, Kimani said the major powers and the whole UN face a dilemma in the wars raging in Ukraine and in Gaza.
He explained that the wars have distinct causes and involve different interests thereby undermining the UN’s credibility and the fragile trust upon which it depends.
“If left unchecked, they threaten to fatally weaken the institution, jeopardizing the very influence held by our friends in the permanent membership of the Security Council,” he explained.
Kimani’s Solution to end the Russia-Ukraine war
According to him, there are still common interests that UN can use to bring the wars to a stop.
Kimani argued that the wars eventually leave all parties diminished adding that no one will benefit in the long run.
“It is vital for them to recognize that even in adversarial times such as these, there are points where interests may align,” he said.
“Finding these points of convergence and building agreements upon them however narrow is a strategic necessity for us all.”
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Major Powers are also affected by the war
Further, he said even the major powers agree that a protracted war in Ukraine jeopardizes Europe and disrupts the flow of goods globally.
For this reason, Kimani said the prolonged instability is not in their interest, including the interest of Russia itself.
“Thus, a mediated settlement, which Kenya strongly believes should accord to the UN Charter in regard to Ukraine’s sovereignty and standing, serves as a strategic necessity for all parties,” he stated.
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Solution to End Gaza War
He proposed a two-state solution in the Gaza war which he said undermines security in the Middle East and beyond.
Kimani explained that the immediate humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands a ceasefire based on international law and the unconditional release of all hostages by Hamas and its cessation of terrorism.
Kenya Stands with other countries experiencing war
He stated that Kenya is grieving with the people of Ukraine, DRC, of Gaza, Myanmar, in the Sahel, and Sudan, and many others where war is raging.
“From all those wars comes a litany of suffering that mocks the promise of our United Nations to ‘never again’ allow so many to suffer from the ravaging of the powerful,” he said.
The Ambassador emphasized that UN should facilitate a mediated settlement for the ongoing wars to prevent people from suffering.
