By Mohamed Massaqoi
Dr. Alie Kabba, the Permanent Representative of the Sierra Leone Mission to the United Nations has again called for two Permanent seats, with all the rights and prerogatives of current members, including the right of veto, and two additional Non-Permanent seats for Africa.
He made that request on the 25th January 2021 during the general debate on agenda item 127 on the demand of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council.
Dr. Kabba noted that accountability begins with the principle of equitable representation which gives voice to the entire constituency of the UN membership.
He stressed that an institution that is equitably represented will be more accountable and transparent adding that despite the fact that Africa is opposed in principle to the Veto, however, as a matter of common justice, it should be extended to new Permanent Members so long as it continues to exist and that the selection of such representatives will be done by the regional body, the African Union.
He said the demand is predicated on ensuring equitable representation on the Security Council and to have an equal say in decision making on issues of international peace and security, in particular, matters that affect the African region, adding that correcting the issue of equitable representation is the only way to achieving a true and meaningful reform of the Security Council.
“The Common African Position, therefore, is that the composition of the Security Council should be democratized to reflect the diversity of Member States of the United Nations. Africa, accordingly, proposes an expansion in membership in both categories to a total of no less than 26, with Africa allocated no less than two Permanent seats in the Permanent Category with all its privileges and prerogatives, including the right of the veto, to redress the continent’s non-representation and two additional Non-Permanent seats to address the under-representation in that category.” He underscored the point that the move will correct the existing levels of imbalance and legitimize the authority and actions of the Security Council to make it fit for purpose.
He argues that “a veto-free Council is ideal, but, if unrealistic, the best option is the availability of the veto to new Permanent Members.”
He insisted that it is no gain saying that Africa remains largely under-represented in the Security Council which, no doubt, creates a sense of marginalization and consequential frustration. Participation or representation in the Security Council for an extended period of time provides opportunity to gain institutional knowledge and memory and better understanding of the work of the Council, but it will equally prolong frustrations for being unable to influence decisions in like manner as the P5, who continue to wield the veto power and operate as an inner club of a ‘select and privileged few’ and which, in effect, compromises the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability.
Reconciling the interest of some States to participate for an extended period of time in the Council will, therefore, not be an easy one, given the present structure of the five Permanent Members who continue to enjoy stronger position and political leverage.
“In this regard, we remain fully committed to the General Assembly Decision 62/557 and other relevant General Assembly Decisions for a comprehensive reform of the Security Council, on all the five Clusters, considering their interconnectedness. Africa, therefore, will continue to call for a comprehensive reform of the Security Council by rejecting any interim, intermediary/intermediate approach or transitional reform models as a means of correcting the historical injustice done to Africa.”
In concluding, he stated that “as we hope to make progress in the reform agenda this year, let me end my remarks by reaffirming that we are ready to work with Member States and interest groups to correct the historical injustice done to Africa and to better reflect the geopolitical realities of our present and future world.”
