“Africa has been sidelined for far too long in UNSC. We are not second class citizens of this world and are prepared to dig in for a long haul until we realise our goals,” she asserted/FILE
Speaking on the sidelines of the 24th Africa Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed told C-10 Committee that Africa was determined to push for recognition and a place in the top organ of the UN after many years of discrimination.
“Africa has been sidelined for far too long in UNSC. We are not second class citizens of this world and are prepared to dig in for a long haul until we realise our goals,” she asserted.
The C-10 committee comprises Sierra Leone, Algeria, Libya, Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Congo, Senegal and Zambia which all are all united in pushing for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council in their quest for reforms.
While urging other African states to synergise their efforts to push for institutional reforms Mohamed asked Africa to be also included in all other decision making organs of the UN.
However she said for that to happen, African states should speak in one voice.
“We are not in a hurry to accept a half-baked deal and live with it for the rest our lives. Our position based on the Ezulwini Consensus is clear and has been consistent. All we need to do as Africa is to speak with one voice.”
Her remarks were echoed by Sierra Leone Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Samura Kamara who said Africa should push for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
But for Africa to achieve the goal, he said, it has to seek for support, explaining that it had already approached different groups which were willing to support the continent’s bid for inclusion in the UN Security Council.
“Ours is a case of historical injustice meted out to the continent and every sensible person will agree with our position. We are going to talk to everyone willing to listen and ensure we get the required two-third votes,” he said.
UNSC which has 15 seats are filled by five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members.
The permanent members are China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and the United States.
The non-permanent seats are rotational based on regional blocks.
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