By Festus J. Lahai
President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has called for immediate reforms to the United Nations Security Council, describing the need to correct a "profound historical injustice" against Africa.
Speaking during the UN Security Council debate on international peace and security on Monday, President Bio emphasized the necessity of increased African representation in the Council, pointing to the continent's long-standing marginalization in global decision-making processes.
"Africa remains the unquestionable victim," President Bio stated, referring to the current structure of the Security Council, which he argued is "at odds with current realities, unjust, and undermines its legitimacy and effectiveness."
He urged the Council to expand its membership to include two permanent seats and three non-permanent seats for Africa, in alignment with the Common African Position as outlined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.
As the Coordinator of the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State on UN Security Council Reform (C-10), President Bio stressed that Africa's underrepresentation is not just a statistical oversight but a significant barrier to global governance. "This underrepresentation is a profound historical injustice that must be rectified," he said.
He further argued that reforming the Council to include African voices is crucial for the legitimacy and effectiveness of the UN, particularly given Africa’s substantial contributions to peacekeeping and conflict resolution. "The Security Council’s imbalanced composition and the unjust exclusion of Africa from the permanent category undermine its current legitimacy," H.E. Bio remarked.
The Commander-in-Chief comments come at a time when over 60% of the Security Council's agenda involves Africa, yet the continent has no permanent representation.
He concluded by urging the UN to act decisively, stating, "The time for change is now. Africa's voice must be heard, and its demands for justice and equity must be met. Now is the time for action. Africa cannot wait any longer."
This strong call for reform highlights the growing demand for a more inclusive and equitable global governance system, with Africa playing a central role in shaping the future of international peace and security.
Comments