Africa Paves the Way for an absolute reform in the UNSC

“It is only through a reformed and inclusive UN Security Council that we will be able to collectively resolve some if the world’s most protracted conflicts.”

– Cyril Ramaphosa L South African President

For some time now, the UN Security Council’s effectiveness has been questioned by the international community and it’surgent reform has become a prime demand.Calls for the demand grew louder on September 2021 when President Biden asked the General Assembly for the Call for a Reform– specifically mentioning African countries in the P5 members,to eradicate historical exclusion and absolve injustices for a better peace and security system. However, words were never put to action as even in 2023 there was no change in the P5 members. The rotation has been limited only among the non-permanent member seats which is done after every 2 years. However, the P5 members Soviet Russia, France, Republic China, UN and UK have been permenanet members for a long period and the UN Council  is not responding to any commitment for change. While the Council’s prime aim is to achieve peace andwork in tandem with all it’s members for achieving security – the recent lack of response to Libya, Ukraine and Iraq hasquestioned its legitimacy.Internal divides between Russia and China on one side and France, UK and US on the other means that security measures will be neglected as long as the veto powers are involved. Hence, South Africa’s membership in the P5 will not only play a huge role in ending differences but also in reducing the Council’s deadlocks.

Why Africa should be included?

The multilateral system formed by the UN charter failed to meet the expectations of many countries at stake due to fragmented agendas and diplomatic rivalry. Much of it was resolved but after it’s posture towards the Ukrainian war, not just Africa but many countries like Japan and India have demanded a seat in the P5 cabinet. However, the call was directed specifically for Africa. This is mostly because as Derosso says, “Calls for reforming the Council are not new for Africa as their states have already adopted a common position on the issue through the African Union(AU) which also has a longstanding ministerial committee on the topic of the UNSC reform”. On top of that more than 60 percent of the topic of discussion in the UNSC revolves around Africa’s issues but are solved without their direct presence. In contrast to the divergent agendas in the PM5, African countries are using reconciliation and sustainable ways towards achieving lasting peace.Even during the widespread pandemicthe Mozambique Government signed off the Maputo Accord for Peace and National Reconciliation in Maputo on 6^th August 2019. Regardless of their former tensions the President of Mozambique, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and leader of Renamo, Afonso Dhlakama made sustained efforts to demobilise, disarm and reintegrate(DDR) the former combatants and civilians towards a peaceful life which was applaudedworldwide. Sustained efforts in peace making even through inter-African interventions to further resolve regionalchallenges helped them get among the T-10(temporary 10 seats) in 2023.

Lack of consensus on major issues like Ukraine warfare facing criticismin the UNSC and the influence of South Africa in AU through media outlets almost occurred simultaneously.South Africa also had prior experience as they had been elected twice-fewer than a year from 2007-2008 and again resumed from 2011-12. Hence they are already are mature enough to know the “rules if the game” as Carvalho puts it and used it to their advantage to direct the AU and maintain links with UNSC through the A-3 to meet the expectations of the UNSC through concerted efforts on one side and also simultaneously having a greater hand in the bigger picture. If the A-3 bloc continues to work in coherence with the UNSC and the AU under South Africa’s direction then it willsolidifyit’sreputation through breaking the UNSC deadlocks and winning it’s confidence. However, while they are tied to the UNSC they are also acquainted with PSC(Peace Security Council). Though both the PSC and the UNSC aim at maintaining peace,they are different institutions. However sometimes they do overlap but many a times if they diverge in their viewpoints. However regardless of their responsibilities they have successfully proved their competency in upholding major decision making with the UNSC. Hence, Biden used this opportunity at the UNSC General Assembly to bring Africa on their side to use it against the two veto power holders – mainly China and Russia as he came up with a new decision rather than following his predecessor’s footprints.This can also open up new avenues for better decision-making and hence regardless of the geopolitical rivalries and diplomacies, the matter was seen as genuine for the body at large. Making Africa a P-5 member will not only serve in the greater functioning of the Council decision making but also their policies of reconciliation and unification can help resolve geopolitical rivalries and regional upheavals to a greater extent. Further delay and lack of response from the UNSC can lead to their its legitimacy getting tested.

Countries like India and Japan are now impatient with the lack of response from the UN. Angry with reform delays, India calls the U. N. System ‘anachronistic’. Indian ambassador RuchiraKamboj says that UN failed in its handling of COVID, Ukraine, terror, climate change. Therefore all eyes are on the Inter-Governmental Negotiations on way forward for UNSC expansion and UN reform. Two of the states with veto powers haven’t even changed their old names –as Kamboj points out – rather than Russia and China they still recognise as “Union of Soviet Socialist Republics “and the “Republic of China”. The call for redesigning is therefore urgent.

References :

Derosso, SolomonMurithi and TimStignant. ‘Will the U. S. – Africa Summit Address U. N. Security Council Reform? ‘. Dec 8,2022https://www.usip.org/publications/2022/12/will-us-africa-summit-address-un-security-council-reform

De Carvalho, Gustavo and FortiDaniel. ‘Africa can become more influential in the UN Security Council’. Mar 12,2020https://issafrica.org/iss-today/africa-can-become-more-influential-in-the-un-security-council

CampbellJohn.’Africa on the UN Security Council’. Oct 9,2014https://www.cfr.org/blog/africa-un-security-council

De Carvalho, Gustavo and Singh, Priyal. ‘Lessons from South Africa’s Term to the UN Security Council ‘. Jul 28,2021https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/lessons-south-africas-term-un-security-council

ManzoniMirko. ‘Mozambique embraces dialogue for lasting peace’. May 4,2023https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/may-2023/mozambique-embraces-dialogue-lasting-peace

‘Root Causes of Conflicts in Africa Must be addressed beyond Traditional Response, Special Adviser Tells Security Council Debate on Silencing Guns’. – Marc 30,2023https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15249.doc.htm

‘African Leaders Call for Permanent security Council Seat ‘_DW Newshttps://youtu.be/ApDEzSk3S-k?si=siaRfmNkjj7Igtgi

HaidarSushani. ‘Angry with reform delays, India calls U. N. System ‘anachronistic ‘. April 27, 2023 https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/angry-with-reform-delays-india-calls-un-system-anachronistic-slams-veto-power/article66781723.ece

Atrayee Pal

Intern, Asia in Global Affairs

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