African Non-Representation On UNSC Unacceptable – Geingob

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African Non-Representation On UNSC Unacceptable – Geingob

3:05 CAT | 20 Jan 2016

In file Club of Mozambique / Namibia's president Hague Geingob.

It is unacceptable for the African continent, which constitutes more than a quarter of the United Nations (UN) membership, to remain unrepresented in the permanent seat category of the UN Security Council (UNSC).

Namibian Head of State Hage Geingob said this in his welcoming remarks during the official opening of the one-day African Union Committee of Ten (C-10) on UNSC reform in Windhoek on Friday.

Geingob said a common African position in a bid for a permanent seat on the UNSC, therefore, remains valid and relevant.

“The present position of the Security Council does not reflect the broader principle of equitable geographical representation and this is neither representative, nor democratic.

“It is imperative that the Security Council be enlarged to reflect the present day geopolitical realities. This will enhance its democratic credentials and give legitimacy to its work,” he said.

Geingob reiterated the call of the Africa Union for the comprehensive reform of the SC to make it more democratic, transparent and as a result serve humanity better.

“Our primary objective is the principle of the Security Council reform. The question of which countries should represent Africa on the Security Council is secondary and should be left to the discretion of the African Union,” he said.

The Namibian leader called on African leaders to remain united on all aspects of the reform of the SC so as to garner more support around the call for the reform of the UNSC.

The SC is one of six principal organs of the UN and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security as well as accepting new members to the UN and approving any changes to its Charter.

The UN Charter approves the SC to investigate any situation threatening international peace, and recommends procedures for peaceful resolution of disputes and enforces its decisions by militarily or by any means deemed necessary.

The SC consists of 15 members among them Russia, United Kingdom, France, China, and the United States of America serving as the body’s five permanent members – and the rest are non-permanent members.

The Council also recommends the new Secretary-General to the General Assembly, and suggests new states for admission as member states of the UN.

Source: Nampa / All Africa