Addis Ababa: Africa’s underrepresentation in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has hindered the progress of peace and development across the continent, Professor Brook Hailu, a distinguished scholar in Political Science and International Relations remarked.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the United Nations Security Council was established in the aftermath of the Second World War with the primary objective of maintaining international peace and security. The council has a total of 15 members, 5 of which are permanent, and the remaining 10 are non-permanent members.
The five permanent members, namely China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, have veto powers, allowing them to unilaterally block any resolution to protect their national interests, even if the majority of the council approves it. No African country has such power. Africans are not represented in the United Nations Security Council.
Professor of Political Science and International Relations, Brook Hailu, mai
ntains that it is unfair to ignore the voices of more than 1.4 billion Africans in such a key global governance body, United Nations Security Council. The current global order has faced increasing contestation from African nations and various international organizations.
The African Union, in particular, has been vocal in demanding reforms. They have called for the allocation of two permanent seats for African countries in the UNSC. Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, has also urged African leaders to collectively advocate for this fair and just request.
Professor Brook Hailu remains optimistic about the prospects of reform within the UNSC. He believes that expanding the council to include fair representation for African and Asian states is essential for achieving peace, security, and development aspirations in Africa.
During the 8th annual meeting of United Nations and African Union leaders, held in Ethiopia, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres acknowledged the need for reform. He stated
that there is a growing consensus that the United Nations should undergo changes to ensure that Africans receive representation in the UNSC.