The quest for a fair world will never stop until those underdogs, especially Africa can have the right place to decide over global issues for which they are equally responsible and have interest.
In the past, the seat for the UNSC was shared among the 5 countries that had the upper hand in the political and economic sphere of the time. This still has a flaw as it was an attempt to justify the position because of might rather than justice and the principle of equality.
But at this moment the world is at least 8 decades away from the time when the world scrambled the seat as per their narrow criteria of that time. If Africa is still kept at bay in the matters of the Security Council without a permanent seat with veto power, what makes the situation different from the time when the continent was under the colonial fist?
If at all the same parameter is intended to apply, it is impossible to underestimate Africa’s global significance politically and economically. It is also unfair to rule Africa’s matters with the outdated orders of the global powers. Therefore, all the provisions that govern the permanent membership with veto power should be amended in a way that enables Africa to exercise its rights in the global organization.
Among the topics that should be noted here is that the United Nations was established at the end of the Second World War during which almost the whole of Africa was languishing under the rule of colonial powers. All the decisions that enabled the now superpowers were taken when the continent was not present to defend its interests.
The delayed entry of the countries of the continent into the global organization was also unfortunate as they were not in a position to seek their rightful place due to the post-colonial economic and political chaos that the majority of the countries faced. Yet the prolonged silence of the countries to request equal participation in the decision-making body should not be taken as an advantage to keep them as mere lookers on the global affairs in which they are integral elements.
Still, there is ample time for the UN and other members of the SC and others to bring Africa, through its continental umbrella organization, the African Union (AU) to be part and parcel of the council and discharge its responsibility as other members.
In this regard, friends of the continent who are already members of the council should push forward with their positive outlook to the membership of the continent in the SC. They have to start now to speak more loudly than ever to scale up their support at least one step forward.
On the other hand, the recent suggestion of the United States for two permanent seats for Africa in the UNSC without veto power should be corrected and amplified as it is completely against the real interest and the right quest of the continent.
Regardless of the number of seats, Africa deserves to get the proper place in the council that decides over issues of the world in which a significant portion are related to Africa itself. Obtaining a decision-making power in this council is not a matter that should be put forward as a secondary matter, but a long overdue agenda. Africa can no longer wait and see decisions passed on its behalf. It has to play its due role in the affairs of the world in which it accounts for a significant part.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 3 OCTOBER 2024
