Despite the relentless efforts to reform the UN as a whole and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in particular, membership in the SC has not been able to expand and include new members as it was expected.
Nevertheless, as the pressure increasingly growing, there seems a chance of adding African countries in the club sooner than later. In a statement it issued after the conclusion of the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly, African Union (AU) expressed the continent’s desire to fully represented in the UNSC and entitled two permanent seats with all the prerogatives and privileges including the right of veto.
The question many ask is: What permanent seats in the world’s most powerful decision-making body would add to Africa? Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald, a political expert and Director General of Rwanda-based Sustainable Development Goals Center for Africa, Dr. Belay Ejigu says that historical incidence and the undemocratic culture of UNSC are major factors that effected the continent with over 1.2 billion people remains without permeant seat.
According to Dr. Belay, there is no clear and established criteria for acceding to the position as a historical occurrence brought the current members to power. Expectedly, all of them exercise the power endowed effectively to promote their interests and at times their hegemony along with other responsible actions.
The continuing criticism on the UNSC’s structure where few powerful members dominated its policy-making process and frequently used veto power to enhance their interests are triggering the reform that envisions to bring about better regional representation including Africa, the expert elaborates.
“The UNSC permanent seat is a very powerful position and it may seek the highest level of attitude and discipline in exercising the power assumed,” he says, adding that the situation implies the need for African countries having in place a clear political process in their campaign for permanent seats.
Sharing the above, Political Economy Professor at Nairobi University, Michael Chege states that the lack of single political, economic and customs responsibilities and related accountabilities in Africa makes efforts to secure a permanent seat in a continental arrangement impossible. “Due to the absence of this legal and political realities, AU has a limited chance of assuming the position representing the continent.”
If Africa, would keep its aspiration for this prestigious power, it only happens through one of its member country and that country should first win the confidence and heart of its own people, follow by neighboring countries and then the international community as this is part of the global order, he elaborates. The expert further indicates that all the five members in the UNSC are representing their respective countries and not any of the continents and the situation is similar for those who are lining up to join and have a greater chance.
Regarding the benefits Africa could gain from permanent seats, Chief Governance Expert at South African- based African Peer Review Mechanism, Professor Jonathan Kaunda says that the entitlement would significantly enhance the continent’s participation in international peace and security matters. The platform also beneficial for Africa to better represent its interests and voice concerns on the global stage.
Although the AU opposes, in principle, the veto, it strongly feels that it should be extended to all permanent members so long as it exists and the situation paves the way for African countries could block resolutions that would negatively affect the continent’s interests, the expert adds.
According to Professor Kaunda, seizing permanent seats would also benefit African countries in promoting their interest, in every aspects of business, including trade, culture, ideology and securing the alignment of other nations in exchange of supporting them when facing SC resolutions.
“As Africa is growing both in economy and population, the UNSC has become more important than ever to the continent,” he says, adding that the presence of African countries in SC in permanent basis is also beneficial in legitimizing conflict interventions and ensuring the effectiveness of peace enforcing missions in the continent.
Concerning Ethiopia’s accession to the position, Dr. Belay says that as one of the oldest member country of the UN, since the League of Nations, and also a host for the AUC, it has every right to aspire similar to all others.
The expert further states that Ethiopia’s enormous contribution to ensure Africa’s peace and stability and the success it has been witnessed in representing and promoting the continent’s interests in international arenas would play positive role in its aspiration to the SC. Ethiopia has also done commendable activities for the fulfillment of Africa’s goals and agendas and its voice to be heard during its tenure as an alternate member of the UNSC.
The ongoing broad-based reforms have been building Ethiopia’s status of a democratic role model and its active participation in combating terrorism, radicalism and other global challenges are also play significant role for the successful campaign. But again, the issue is how much Ethiopia has been over its own toll of orders and could be able win others confidence in the highly competitive environment for a permanent seat for the security council, a chance for only two to three African nations, Dr. Belay stresses.
The experts highlight that the AU has neither decided to pick candidates for potential African seats nor reach consensuses how the continent should be represented at the SC thereby triggering stiff competition among the leading African contenders such as South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and the likes.
Allocating the two potential seats through regional and linguistic balancing and selecting countries with significant contributions to the promotion of peace and strong democratic culture as well as international connection will enable Africa truly represented and promote its interests in the reformed UNSC, they remark.
The Ethiopian Herald, February 26/2019
BY BILAL DERSO
