STATEMENT BY
H. E. DR. MICHAEL IMRAN KANU
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Member States (the African Group).
We commend you for convening today’s all-important general debate on this critical agenda item.
As I congratulate you, Mr. President, on your election to lead our work in the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA79), be assured of our support to ensure we make meaningful progress on this very important issue; and achieve consensus on the reform of the Security Council. We therefore take note of your important opening remarks.
Further, the African Group commends you for reappointing H.E. Mr. Tareq Albanai, Permanent Representative of the State of Kuwait, and H.E. Mr. Alexander Marschik, Permanent Representative of Austria, as Co-Chairs of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN). Their leadership has been instrumental in advancing the reform process, and we extend our warm congratulations to the re-appointed Co-Chairs and assure them of our ongoing support as they continue to guide the critical IGN process.
Mr. President,
Africa remains firm in our commitment to the urgent and comprehensive reform of the United Nations System, and in particular the Security Council. Such reform is crucial for upholding the integrity of, and principles, objectives, and ideals enshrined in the UN Charter and for promoting a more equitable world based on universalism, fairness, and regional balance.
As we remain committed to General Assembly Decision 62/557 and other relevant decisions that calls for the reform of the Security Council in a manner that reflects the realities of the 21st century, we underscore that the reform must address all five clusters, while recognizing their interlinkages. We welcome the further step taken in consolidating the guiding principles identified in the IGN in the “Pact for the Future” (A/79/1), adopted by our world leaders during the High-Level Week of UNGA79 this past September (2024).
Africa is encouraged by the views expressed during the General Debate of UNGA79 High-Level Week, including by His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, and Coordinator of the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the UN Security Council (C-10). His statement, along with the statements of other African leaders, reinforced the need to correct the historical injustice being perpetuated against Africa and to ensure that Africa is treated as a special case in the reform process – a call now clearly made by the leaders of all UN member States in the “Pact for the Future”. Africa’s exclusion from permanent membership on the Security Council is a legacy of the past that must be urgently rectified.
In this regard, we highlight the importance of the 12th of August 2024 historic first debate in the UN Security Council on the “Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Addressing the Historical Injustice and Enhancing Africa’s Effective Representation in the UN Security Council”, convened during Sierra Leone’s August 2024 presidency. As the debate provided the unique opportunity for a honest discourse and a better insight on the need to correct the historical injustice, it also underscored the broad support for Africa’s demand.
We therefore welcome the support that have been expressed by the broad membership for the Common African Position, as articulated in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration. We also welcome the progressive support expressed by other member States, including the Permanent member United States, in clearly expressing support for the allocation of two permanent seats in the Security Council to Africa, while noting their divergent view on the extension of the veto.
We reiterate Africa’s demand for two permanent seats on the UN Security Council, with all the rights and privileges that current members possess, including the right of veto if retained. Additionally, we call for two additional non-permanent seats. This is not merely a question of proportional representation, as it is a matter of fundamental equity and justice.
Ensuring that Africa has an equal voice in decision-making on international peace and security, especially those directly impacting the continent, is essential. The “Pact for the Future” has set the path for the demonstration of the unwavering commitment of the UN to reform the Security Council; and rectifying the long-standing injustices and imbalances perpetuated by its current structure by acceding to the Common African Position. We believe we can bring about the change needed for a more equitable global governance system if this is done in a timely manner.
Mr. President,
The African Group appreciates the continued support from Member States, Interest and Regional Groups and the general consensus on the need to correct the historical injustice done to Africa by treating Africa as a special case and priority in the reform process. This consensus has been clearly articulated in the “Pact for the Future”. In Action 39 paragraph (a) our leaders have agreed to “Redress the historical injustice against Africa as a priority and, while treating Africa as a special case, improve the representation of the underrepresented and unrepresented regions and groups…”
Similarly, in the current iteration of the Revised Co-Chairs’ Elements Paper, paragraph 6 reflects the broader recognition and support by member States for Africa’s legitimate aspiration to play a more prominent role on the global stage, including through an increased presence in the Security Council that is consistent with the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. The Co-Chairs noted that “Redressing the historical injustice against Africa is viewed as a priority, and several delegations emphasized that Africa should be treated as a special case”.
These developments further reinforce the credibility and viability of the Common African Position. Africa believes this should serve as a crucial guideline for advancing the UN Security Council reform and fostering the necessary political will to advance the IGN process.
While we recognize the gains made last session, differences in substantive and procedural matters and the lack of the requisite political will, will challenge the overall progress and consensus building on all five clusters of the IGN.
Substantively, the African Group notes that not all Member States’ positions and proposals, including the Common African Position, have been fully reflected in the Co-Chairs’ Revised Elements Paper. Accordingly, we continue to see the critical value of the 2015 Framework Document, the key document of the IGN that encapsulates the positions and proposals of over 120 Member States of the UN, including the Common African Position. The Framework Document therefore is to be integral in the implementation of Action 40 paragraph (a) of the “Pact for the Future” on the development of a consolidated model. For timely implementation of the significant action, Africa continues to commit toward submitting its model this session.
Mr. President,
In fulfilment of the forthright vision of our leaders at the 2005 World Summit, we reiterate that we will continue to constructively engage with all Member States and Interest Groups in an open, transparent, inclusive membership-driven process with a view to achieving progress that will lead to the ultimate realization of making the Security Council more broadly representative, democratic, effective, and transparent.
Africa continues to showcase this by actively engaging with all Member States, Interest and Regional Groups with a view to building on the convergences and streamlining the divergences that continue to exist and foster deeper dialogue on the reform process. This was demonstrated in the UNGA-79 High-Level Week engagement of the permanent members of the Security Council at the Ministerial level by the C-10. The engagement further underpins the strong call for Africa to be given special consideration and priority in the reform process and the opportunity to underline critical steps to achieve this call.
To conclude, Mr. President, it is clear that Africa’s demand for enhanced equitable representation in the Security Council continues to gain widespread support. Our call for the immediate redress of this injustice is not a mere aspiration but a moral imperative that has been recognized and echoed by the leaders of all UN member States. We are confident that with continued momentum and the unwavering support of this Assembly, we can achieve the necessary reforms to ensure a more just and representative UN Security Council.
Africa will continue to advocate for a meaningful reform that will make the Security Council more democratic, transparent, relevant and responsive to the present and emerging global challenges, as well as, to promote the core principles of the UN Charter. We remain open to work with all Member States and Interest Groups in canvassing support for the Common African Position.
I thank you.
