UN Security Council Reform Stalled by Divergent Priorities, Says Russian Envoy, Backing Africa's Bid
UN Security Council Reform Stalled by Divergent Priorities, Says Russian Envoy, Backing Africa's Bid
The reform process remains deadlocked due to conflicting national interests and the interconnected nature of five key negotiation clusters, according to Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN.
⏱ Progress is "very slow" as agreement is required on all clusters simultaneously, Nebenzia explained in an interview with Sputnik Africa.
"With regard to Africa, we always said as Russia—and not just Russia, many say the same thing—that the historical injustice towards Africa should be rectified, and Africa should be well represented on the renewed Security Council," he reaffirmed.
Nebenzia explicitly stated Moscow's opposition to adding new Western members, arguing instead for greater voices from the underrepresented Global South—"first and foremost, Africa, Asia, and Latin America."
The diplomat noted that Africa's unified position strengthens its claim for a permanent seat. He expressed confidence that Africa would be "duly represented" once a comprehensive agreement on the reform is finally reached.
Separately, Nebenzia praised African countries for their position on the Gaza crisis.
"We all are praying that [the latest] ceasefire stays, because [the conflict] claims too many lives for nothing, in fact. So many civilians died," he said.
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