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Hopes high for a more reformed UN Security Council

Sat, 23 Oct 2010 08:41

Africa remains confident that the next two years may signal radical reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

“While we believe challenges will remain there, it is our hope that this time around subsequent progress will be registered over the next two years towards a tangible reform,” said International Relations and Cooperation Director General, Ayanda Ntsaluba.

A call for UNSC’s reform encompasses five key issues, including categories of membership, the question of the veto held by the five permanent members, regional representation, the size of an enlarged Council and its working methods.

South Africa, which first served on the council in 2007/08 was re-elected to the UNSC as a non-permanent member for 2011/12. It was elected alongside Germany, India, Colombia and Portugal, receiving 182 votes in the 192-member UN General Assembly in New York last week.

Ntsaluba said South Africa remained open to the possibility of becoming a permanent member of UNSC should the world body considers expanding the membership, which currently stands at five members.

“We take particular pride in the support we have received from across the world and we will be ready to make our position clear should one of the African countries be considered for a permanent membership.”

Ntsaluba said South Africa will be using its position in the council to canvass for international peace and stability “rather than serving narrow national interest.”

“We need to be very careful in whatever we do because we don’t want to be comfortable and fall into traps that would compromise the country and other bodies we are affiliated to.”

He dismissed talk that South Africa used its seat in the council in the past to shielded Zimbabwe from international sanctions over electoral violence in 2008.

The issue of Zimbabwe could not be classified under the UN but other bodies such as the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community, said Ntsaluba.

Meanwhile, Ntsaluba said the appointment of former Safety and Security Minister, Charles Nqakula, as Presidential Envoy to Sudan was proof of South Africa’s commitment to peace and stability on the continent.

Nqakula joins former President Thabo Mbeki, who mediates in the region’s conflict on behalf of the AU. BuaNews