By Hassan Isilow
JOHANNESBURG (AA) – South Africa will strongly advocate for the comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council, the country’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday.
“We are calling for the expansion in the permanent and non-permanent category of the Security Council from 15 to 26 seats,’’ Ramaphosa said in his speech to diplomats in the capital Pretoria.
For Africa to be fully represented at the UN Security Council, the president said, it should get no less than two permanent seats and a total of five non-permanent or elected seats.
“Since the advent of our democracy, South Africa has positioned itself as a force for good in the world and as a contributor to the forward march of humanity,” said Ramaphosa.
South Africa has been elected to serve in the United Nations Security Council for the term 2019-2020 as a non-permanent member.
“South Africa is concerned about the rise over the last two decades of unilateralism in global affairs and the violation of national sovereignty,” Ramaphosa said, adding this threatens global peace, security and development.
Some powerful nations have been using their powers to vote and pass decisions at the UN Security council some of which have had catastrophic impact on other nations.
The South African leader said there is need to work together to strengthen the multilateral systems of governance and collective global decisions.
