Kenyan envoy calls for ‘fundamental’ reform of UNSC representation

Kenya’s Ambassador to the United Nations Martin Kimani on Tuesday called for urgent and fundamental reform of the UN Security Council to allow the full representation of African countries.

According to Kimani, this was necessary especially given that a majority of peace and security issues are taking place on the African continent.

He reiterated that that at a time of increasing geopolitical rivalries by great powers, some who are members of the Council, & their dangerous effects on third countries,  a more balanced UNSC is key to protecting humanity from the difficult-to-predict major war.

“If this famous table is to truly prevent major wars, then its membership must expand or change substantively.” he said

Speaking during a Security Council meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, the Kenyan diplomat noted; “The last two world wars have come as a surprise. The next one is likely to be the same if we do not undertake urgent Security Council reforms that bring balance to permanent membership and the veto,”

“We remembered the cities in Europe & Asia savagely leveled to the ground. The nuclear bomb vaporisation of civilians in Hiroshima & Nagasaki. We do not believe this is remote ancient history; without caution such catastrophes can return to haunt the world,” said Kimani

The implementation of the African position in the Security Council would immensely benefit international peace and security and contribute to saving humanity from major wars, Kimani pointed out.

“Added to the fact that the majority of the situations before the Council today are in Africa, and the great power rivalries will be most keenly felt there, we call for fundamental reform,” the Kenyan diplomat stated.

United Nations member states have been consistently advocating for reforms to the composition of the UN Security Council, stressing the lack of Africa’s representation and its adverse effects on the Security Council’s ability to properly address issues of peace and security on the continent.

In addition, the Security Council’s working methods, such as the use of the veto by the five permanent members, have also been referred to as a major problem of the UN Security Council, often preventing the council from acting to address significant international issues.

The Security Council is composed of the five permanent member states – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States – the victors of the Second World War.

The Security Council also consists of ten non-permanent members elected by the UN General Assembly for a two-year term.

Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway and the United Arab Emirates are the current non-permanent members of the Security Council.

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