Enhanced representation for addressing UNSC’s historical imbalances

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 BY ADDISALEM MULAT

 The Africa continent has a rich and diverse population, consisting of many different cultures and languages. It is a vast region that spans across numerous countries with unique histories and traditions. Despite this diversity, the representation of African voices in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is not proportional to its varied population.

 As a result, many individuals and groups have expressed their concerns regarding the current state of affairs, calling for increased participation and a more significant role in the decision-making processes of the UNSC. African leaders have been advocating for more representation in the UNSC, pointing out that the current composition of the council is not representative of the world’s geopolitical reality. These leaders argue that the UNSC needs to be reformed to address this historical imbalance and ensure that Africa has a more prominent role in global governance. They believe that this would enable Africa to have a say in issues that affect it directly, such as conflict resolution, peacekeeping, and development.

 The desire for change in Africa has been an ongoing process for several years. This indicates the level of dedication by African nations to ensure that their voices are heard and their viewpoints represented on a global level. Ethiopia’s proactive stance is just an illustration of the numerous resolute efforts being made by African nations to realize this objective. The UNSC is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, a massive undertaking that requires input from all regions and continents of the world.

 Through consistent advocacy, African nations have been working towards ensuring that their voices are not drowned out in the global arena. The unwavering commitment of these nations to this objective comes from the need to be heard and to have a say in the decision-making processes that impact the continent as a whole. Among these efforts, Ethiopia has been a prime example of a nation that is tirelessly pursuing this agenda. They have demonstrated a deep-seated determination to ensure that their perspectives are no longer sidelined and their voices heard alongside others around the world.

 Given the diverse nature of the African continent, its inclusion in the decision-making processes of the UNSC is vital to achieving effective and equitable outcomes. It is vital that all voices are heard and that each region’s unique perspective is taken into account while addressing challenges to global peace and security. Therefore, developing mechanisms to ensure that the African continent has a more significant say in the decision-making processes of the UNSC is of utmost importance.  Africa is vastly under-represented in the UNSC. As a result of this, many people feel as though their views and opinions  are not being taken into consideration on the global stage.

This has the potential to lead to decisions that are not well-informed about the unique problems that the African continent faces because there are not enough African voices present to advocate for them. By increasing the number of seats allocated to the continent or ensuring that African perspectives are heard in council discussions, we can develop a more equitable and comprehensive decision-making process. This will enable us to take into account the unique challenges and opportunities faced by all regions and continents, thereby resulting in more practical and beneficial resolutions. Our efforts to include African voices will play an integral part in creating a more peaceful and prosperous world for everyone.

This is because the under-representation of Africa in the UNSC deprives us of essential viewpoints and insights that could provide effective solutions to emerging global problems. Therefore, it is imperative that we prioritize the representation of all regions and work towards a world that is inclusive and reflective of all experiences. African nations are committed to having their perspectives and ideas heard around the world. This has been an ongoing quest for many years now, which demonstrates their relentless dedication to achieving this aim.

It is a clear indication of the significance that African nations place on ensuring that their views are accurately represented on a global platform. Ethiopia, amongst other African nations, has been at the forefront of this pursuit for change and has demonstrated its tireless efforts to realize this goal. The UNSC is comprised of fifteen members, five of which are permanent members – the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom. One of the distinct features of the UNSC is the provision of veto power to the five permanent members. This means that they have the authority to reject any decision or resolution made by the remaining ten non-permanent members.

 This privilege gives them a significant edge in the decision-making process, allowing them the ability to influence and shape the council’s decisions in their favor However, the veto power granted to the   permanent members has often been a contentious issue among the other members of the council. The non-permanent members, although lacking the veto power, still hold considerable influence through their ability to raise important issues and advocate for their respective interests. These non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms, and though their time in office might be limited, their contribution to the council can be impactful.

 They serve as a voice for the smaller member states and can use their positions to bring critical issues to the forefront of the council’s attention. Overall, both permanent and non-permanent members play vital roles in the functioning of the UNSC, albeit with differing levels of power and influence. Although the UNSC has faced criticism for its unequal distribution of power, it remains an essential body in promoting international peace and security. The world we know today is vastly different from the world that existed when the UNSC was first established. Over the years, the UNSC has played a critical role in promoting peace through multilateral decision-making.

 This underrepresentation has resulted in significant challenges for the African continent in its efforts to address its unique challenges, such as conflict and terrorism. With numerous conflict zones and frequent terrorist attacks, African countries have struggled to secure support for their initiatives aimed at resolving conflicts, addressing humanitarian crises, and promoting sustainable development. These initiatives require the backing of the international community, often through the UN, and Africa’s limited representation on the UNSC has hindered its ability to gain the necessary support.

 The inadequate representation of Africa in the UNSC has become a major obstacle in the continent’s pursuit of its interests. It has significantly slowed down the progress of African countries in finding solutions to their problems, thus having negative consequences for both the African continent and the world at large. Therefore, there is a need to address this underrepresentation and give African countries more influence in the international arena. The demand for a permanent seat for Africa in the UNSC is not a new phenomenon.

It is part of a larger movement seeking to reform the organization and make it more responsible to its member nations. African countries have been particularly vocal in their support for Ethiopia’s proposal. They are aware of how crucial it is to have a powerful voice in the UN decision-making process. Many African leaders agree that a permanent seat on the UNSC is one way to achieve that.

 Many feel that the continued dominance of these five countries is unfair to the other members and limits the overall effectiveness of the UNSC’s decisions in resolving issues. Consequently, there is a growing call to reform the UNSC to make it more representative of the current global power configuration so that all member nations have equal representation and influence within the council. It is noteworthy that all five of the permanent members hail from the Western hemisphere. This implies that those residing outside of this particular area of the world do not have a voice or a seat at the table when it comes to making decisions that will have an impact on the international community.

“For a long time, we as Africans accept the narrative about ourselves that has not been crafted by us, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) said.  He, therefore, said that in a bid to change the narrative, adequate representation and permanent seat at the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) and proportionate representation at the G7 and G20 is necessary. The Premier made the above remarks at forum held in connection with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the organization of African Unity-African Union (OAU-AU). ‘Driven by the spirits of African resilience, we are committed to reshape the narrative about Ethiopia and through it that of Africa materializing, our African Union, Continental media house.”

 It was learnt that 60th year ago on this day leaders of African countries were gathered at Addis Ababa and 32 heads of state and government of independent African nations converged, to sign the charter that would create the organization of African Unity (OAU).  Africa is a continent of 1.4 billion people, he said, adding by 2050 more than half of the global population growth will occur in Africa. The premier also said: “Paying attention to Africa means paying attention to a continent that by 2050 will be home to one in four human kinds.” In an increasingly complex dynamic and fast changing global order, unity is no more a catch phrase, but a means of survival, he said. “The complex world that we found ourselves in today, the aspiration we carry as Africans, summon us to further accelerate our unified position,” Prime Minister Abiy stated.

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 30 MAY 2023

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