The Republic of China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America are the five permanent members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, with veto power . This configuration born from the Second World War (1939-1945), and which left out an entire continent, cannot continue. And for good reason: Africa rightly demands its place on the UN Security Council. And it’s not the Westerners who are blocking it, contrary to what one might believe…
The UN Security Council has a total of fifteen (15) members, five of which are permanent members with veto power (China, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Russia). ). The other ten (10) seats that are non-permanent are distributed by geographic region.
Following the Second World War (1939-1945), the UN Security Council became the place to have a say. At the risk of often being the great forgotten one, as the African continent has long been. The whole world cannot entrust its fate to a few great powers, whether nuclear or economic, without an entire continent being represented. Quite simply because it is economically poor and none of its countries have a nuclear deterrent force.
“In 1945, most of today's African countries were still under colonial rule and had no say in international affairs.” These were the words of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres, on the occasion of the debate entitled "Redressing historical injustice and strengthening the effective representation of Africa in the Security Council", and initiated by the Sierra Leone, which chairs the Council in August. He added: "We cannot accept that this preeminent global peace and security body does not have a permanent voice for a continent of more than a billion people... nor that the views of Africa are underestimated on issues of peace and security, both on the continent and in the world”.
The claim does not date from today. But the great powers sitting on the UN Security Council have long turned a deaf ear. And when they seemed to hear louder and more urgent voices, they played at dragging their steps. It has been 80 years since Africans demanded a right to review the decisions taken at the UN Security Council, most of which unfortunately concern them quite often. But this cannot continue.
Supported by eleven countries, Sierra Leone, whose country chairs the Council in August, has decided, through its President of the Republic, to bring the continent's now unavoidable demand to the debate. Impossible to brush it aside like an annoying fly. This is an absolute emergency for Africans. The argument is simple and compelling: out of a population of 1.3 billion Africans who account for 28% of the members of the UN, the management of major conflicts or major crises in the world cannot be done in this way. absence of Africans now. And the Africans have demonstrated that 90% of the questions dealt with by this famous UN Security Council are questions relating to Africa. One therefore make decisions that concern Africa without the presence of Africa. This is an injustice that must be repaired as soon as possible.
The President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Julius Bio, rightly stated in this regard: “Our request for two permanent seats with all the rights and prerogatives of current members and two additional seats of non-permanent members. It is a question of common justice that must be addressed. It’s time to take the next step.”
Faced with this situation of injustice, even Westerners, such as certain African autocrats who, to hide their failings, often accuse of being the continent's ills, agree with Africa's claim. And very curiously, it is Russia and China, which are considered to be the best allies, who show little enthusiasm for admitting the Representatives of Africa to the UN Security Council. Lord Collins of Highbury, the British Minister for Africa, declared on August 12 that it was a “matter of urgency” for Africa to be represented on the UN Security Council. Not to mention that three permanent members among the Westerners declared themselves willing and in a favorable manner out of the five that make up the Permanent Council. Understand who can…
By Jean Kebayo
