https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240914/ramaphosa-calls-for-serious-participation-of-african-nations-on-un-security-council-1068275911.html
Ramaphosa Calls for 'Serious' Participation of African Nations on UN Security Council
Ramaphosa Calls for 'Serious' Participation of African Nations on UN Security Council
Sputnik Africa
On Thursday, the United States announced its backing for two permanent African seats on the council, which currently includes five veto-wielding permanent... 14.09.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-09-14T11:53+0200
2024-09-14T11:53+0200
2024-09-16T12:03+0200
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cyril ramaphosa
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed US support for granting two permanent seats to African nations on the United Nations Security Council but criticized the proposal to deny them veto power, media reported.Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Ramaphosa warned that refusing full participation would relegate Africa to “second-class citizen” status within the global body.He insisted that Africa should not be given less authority than other regions on the council, adding that refusing the continent the same rights as the other permanent members “means that we become second-class citizens once again.”Ramaphosa stressed that Africa deserves meaningful representation and influence on the Security Council.While the United States supported the allocation of two permanent African seats, the decision on which nations should fill those positions would be left to the African Union, Ramaphosa noted. Currently, African nations hold three non-permanent seats on the Security Council, which are allocated on a rotating basis for two-year terms.Any change to the structure of the Security Council, including the addition of new permanent members, would require significant international agreement. The proposal must first be adopted and ratified by two-thirds of the 193 UN member states. It would also require the unanimous approval of the existing permanent members.Reform of the Security Council has long been a contentious issue, with various efforts stalled due to disagreements among the permanent members. Ramaphosa’s call for equal rights for Africa adds a new layer to the ongoing debate over how to ensure fair and equitable representation within the UN’s highest decision-making body.
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Ramaphosa Calls for 'Serious' Participation of African Nations on UN Security Council
11:53 14.09.2024 (Updated: 12:03 16.09.2024) On Thursday, the United States announced its backing for two permanent African seats on the council, which currently includes five veto-wielding permanent members: the United States, the UK, China, France, and Russia. However, Washington stated that the new African members should not have veto rights.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed
US support for granting two permanent seats to African nations on the United Nations Security Council but criticized the proposal to deny them veto power, media reported.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Ramaphosa warned that refusing full participation would relegate
Africa to “second-class citizen” status within the global body.
“Not having a continent of 1.3 billion people represented on the Security Council diminishes the role of the United Nations,” Ramaphosa was quoted as saying.
He insisted that Africa should not be given less authority than other regions on the council, adding that refusing the continent the same rights as the other
permanent members “means that we become second-class citizens once again.”
Ramaphosa stressed that Africa deserves meaningful representation and influence on the Security Council.
“We cannot have a second-class participation as Africa on the UN Security Council. We demand and require that we should have serious participation,” he reportedly added.
While the United States
supported the allocation of two permanent African seats, the decision on which nations should fill those positions would be left to the
African Union, Ramaphosa noted. Currently, African nations hold three non-permanent seats on the Security Council, which are allocated on a rotating basis for two-year terms.
Any change to the structure of the Security Council, including the addition of new permanent members, would require significant international agreement. The proposal must first be adopted and ratified by two-thirds of the 193 UN member states. It would also require the unanimous approval of the existing permanent members.
Reform of the Security Council has long been a contentious issue, with various efforts stalled due to disagreements among the permanent members.
Ramaphosa’s call for equal rights for Africa adds a new layer to the ongoing debate over how to ensure fair and equitable representation within the UN’s highest decision-making body.
