African leaders reject UN Security Council reforms
Oct 31, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — Africa should reject reforms of the U.N. Security Council that offer the continent two permanent seats without a veto, according to a report by 10 African leaders that was presented to a regional meeting Monday.
The one-day meeting — attended by heads of state and officials 48 African countries — was focused on deciding which position the African Union should take on reforming the United Nations’ top decision-making body.
Africa “should not even discuss or entertain what would amount to a second-class membership, that is permanent membership without a veto,” according to the report, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
The African Union in previous meetings has insisted on the right of veto, in contrast to other aspiring permanent members content to forswear veto power in the hopes of persuading the United States and other permanent members to accept change on the council.
The council currently has 10 members elected for two-year terms and five permanent members with veto power — the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France.
Brazil, Germany, India and Japan have proposed a 25-member council, adding six permanent seats and four non-permanent seats. The so-called Group of Four was hoping to win four of the permanent seats with the other two earmarked for Africa.
The African Union has proposed expanding the council to 26 members _ adding six permanent seats with veto power and five non-permanent seats. A third variant would add 10 non-permanent seats.
Ten African heads of state compiled the report in order to help the continent reach consensus on the proposed U.N. changes. The report was presented by Sierra Leone’s President Tejan Kabbah, on behalf of a committee including nine other leaders from Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Congo, Kenya, Libya, Namibia, Senegal, Uganda and Zambia.
“The major challenge we face now is to take a decision on the allocation of two permanent seats to Africa as a historical right,” the report said. “It is urgent and essential if the AU were to obtain its objectives.”
A top German official warned Monday, however, that consensus should be reached quickly.
“The window of opportunity for reforms does not stay open indefinitely. We could wait for another six to eight to 10 months. But after that, it would be too late,” said Ambassador Hans-Joachim Daerr, a senior German Foreign Ministry official, on the sidelines of the meeting in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.
Security Council reforms would offer Africa “a chance to move from a rather marginal role to a role of a major player,” he said.
China opposes a permanent seat for Japan, and wants more developing countries on the council. The United States supports Japan’s bid, but only wants “two or so” new permanent council members.
(AP/ST)