The Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations, Ambassador Adikalie Foday Sumah, has assured the distinguished Co-Chairs of the UN Security Council Reform Intergovernmental Negotiations ( IGN ) that the African Union Member States are unreservedly committed to work with other Member States in order to build on progress made during past sessions. Ambassador Sumah gave the assurance last Thursday February 1, 2018 while delivering his statement on behalf of the African Group, as Coordinator of the African Union Committee of 10 ( C-10), during the intergovernmental negotiations on the “Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council and other Matters Related to the Council (Agenda 122).
Ambassador Sumah strongly emphasized that “In particular, Africa urges all Member States of the UN to demonstrate tangible commitment to correct the imbalance in the composition of the Security Council through enlarging the Council to right the historical justice that the African Continent endures.” He charged that ” In doing so, we will not only be making history for present and future generations, but we will essentially strengthen the United Nations Security Council, enhance its effectiveness and legitimacy, and significantly position it as a credible and legitimate global governance institution. ”
AMBASSADOR SUMAH IS SEEN HERE ( SECOND FROM LEFT ) ADDRESSING THE IGN
Ambassador Sumah said that “Indeed the United Nations have made a number of successes in the past, but the Organization remains challenged in the face of unresolved issues, as well as, new and emerging threats to peace, security and development. A more broadly representative Security Council will bring invaluable contribution to its work that will further strengthen the Council’s capacity in the search for a peaceful and more secure world.”
Ambassador Sumah reminded the IGN that “Given the present geopolitical realities, including demographic, emerging and existing partnerships between Africa and the UN, Africa’s rapid economic and development trajectory and the efforts underway to strengthen Africa’s peace and security architecture”, Africa believes “that the present composition of the Security Council which denies adequate representation of an entire region comprising of more than ¼ of the UN membership, risks compromising the legitimacy of the Council’s decisions. We therefore urge you and all Member States to work with us to correct this grossly unjust scenario.”
According to the Common African Position on the UN Security Council , which is enshrined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration , Africa is calling for full representation in the Security Council , which means not less than two permanent seats with all the prerogatives and privileges of permanent membership including the right of veto and five non-permanent seats. Ambassador Sumah emphasized that “Africa’s demand for at least two Permanent Seats and two additional Non-Permanent Seats, is a matter of common justice and the right to have an equal say in decision making on issues of international peace and security.This claim is without controversy, and have been recognized and acknowledged as legitimate by the general membership and ought to be redressed without further delay. Any delay would mean further perpetuating and compounding injustice; thus denying the region its dignity and rightful place in a major decision making Organ of this organization.”
Ambassador Sumah further assured the IGN that Africa is “open to a constructive and transparent engagement with a view to build on progress made, and develop a consensus approach on procedural matters that will put the IGN on a course that will engender meaningful and comprehensive reform of the Council.” He went on : “We, in that regard, support an inclusive and transparent IGN process. The IGN documents rolled-over into the present session can be a good start to find ways of uniting the membership, ensuring that all positions are respected, and provide a space for more productive negotiations.”
The Sierra Leone Permanent Representative urged that “The reform process should not become an endless circle of exchanges. We must, at this stage, endeavour to reach an agreement on how to move forward with the positions and proposals of Member States rolled-over to this session. It is now time for us to walk the talk with a view to seeking the goal of reaching an agreement on a reform model that takes cognizance of the core values of the UN.”
Ambassador Sumah , emphasizing the resolve of Africa to cooperate with the IGN , assured that “We are therefore open to a constructive and transparent engagement with a view to build on progress made, and develop a consensus approach on procedural matters that will put the IGN on a course that will engender meaningful and comprehensive reform of the Council. We, in that regard, support an inclusive and transparent IGN process. The IGN documents rolled-over into the present session can be a good start to find ways of uniting the membership, ensuring that all positions are respected, and provide a space for more productive negotiations.”
Ambassador Sumah took the opportunity on behalf of the African Union Member States, “to thank the esteemed delegations that continue to support the Common African Position. As we have said often and again, Africa stands ready to work with all delegations in order to achieve a solution that can garner the widest possible political acceptance.”
