After the United States announced its support for adding two permanent seats for African countries in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the question now lies on what factors should determine who represents the African continent.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, made this statement during a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations where she described it as a continuation of President Joe Biden’s pledge two years ago to expand the 15-member body.
Although Africa currently holds three non-permanent seats, Thomas-Greenfield emphasized that this “does not fully enable African nations to deliver the full benefit of their knowledge and voices.”
“That is why, in addition to non-permanent membership for African countries, the United States supports creating two permanent seats for Africa on the council. It’s what our African partners seek, and it’s what we believe is just,” Thomas-Greenfield said.
However, she said that Washington opposes giving veto power to the African countries that would hold the two permanent seats because the veto makes the Security Council’s work “dysfunctional.”
What Ezulwini Consensus Says on the Selection to UNSC
According to the UN Ezulwini consensus, the question of the criteria for the selection of African members of the Security Council should be a matter for the African Union to determine, taking into consideration the representative nature and capacity of those chosen.
Despite the Ezulwini consensus stipulating that the African Union should be responsible for selecting Africa’s representatives in the UNSC, the continent has so far been unable to establish the criteria for choosing the two African candidates for permanent seats among its 55 member states.
Also Read: Kenyan Among Innovators Feted at UN General Assembly
This means that African countries must engage in constructive dialogue and collaboration to establish common goals and criteria for selecting representatives who will best serve the continent’s interests.
The unfortunate reality is that Africa remains divided on the basis of region, language and culture.
The continent struggles to speak with one voice on critical matters such as peace and security – the priority of the UNSC agenda.
Factors to Determine who Represents African Continent
This process may involve considering factors such as capacity, geopolitical importance, diplomatic experience and regional representation.
It may also consider commitment to upholding international law and human rights, and the ability to play within this complex global system effectively.
Also Read: Win for Africa as US Supports 2 Permanent UN Security Council Seats
Military Might: A nation’s ability to contribute to global security through strong military forces and peacekeeping operations is critical. Countries that consistently support U.N. missions and demonstrate military capacity are strong candidates.
Diplomatic Influence: Nations with established global diplomatic networks and active participation in international organizations can effectively represent their region and contribute to international decision-making.
Economic Growth: Economic power plays a significant role in global influence. Countries with growing economies, substantial trade networks, and investment capacities can contribute meaningfully to shaping global economic policies.
Moral Leadership: Leadership in promoting global issues like human rights, environmental sustainability, and conflict resolution which showcases a nation’s commitment to upholding the U.N.’s values and principles will be a key consideration.
Demographic Size: Nations with large and growing populations deserve representation to ensure that global decisions reflect the interests and needs of a significant portion of the world’s population.
Peace and Stability: Nations with strong governance, democratic institutions, and internal stability are well-positioned to contribute to global peace and security. Stability also ensures that the country can focus on global issues without internal conflicts.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
