African leaders must unite on UN reforms – SA Minister

African countries should be united in calls for reform of the UN Security Council, says SA’s International Relations & Co-Operation Minister Ronald Lamola. Lamola told the inaugural Peace and Security Dialogue, held by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation at the weekend, African leaders should reconsider some aspects of the AU’s 2005 Ezulwini consensus aimed at increasing Africa’s representation on the Security Council. The consensus includes a call for the continent to have two veto-wielding permanent seats on the Security Council. But there is no agreement among AU members on which countries should fill the seats and what criteria should be used, notes a BusinessLIVE report. ‘A more inclusive Security Council, with all member states having equal powers, will allow the institution to respond effectively to peace and security challenges on the continent and in other parts of the world. Let us not allow this issue to divide colleagues,’ Lamola said. ‘Yes, we will fight for two veto-holding seats. But let us see progress. The window of opportunity has finally arrived. SA firmly supports the 2005 Ezulwini consensus as the continent’s common position on the reform of the UNSC. If it means we are meant to reconsider some aspects, we will do so together.’ The consensus also calls for five non-permanent seats with the AU selecting the countries to fill them.

Full BusinessLIVE report

The role of the AU took centre stage at the peace dialogue with speakers saying its current leadership must be disbanded and the organisation reimagined. A critique that the AU finds itself at a critical juncture where it urgently needs to adapt to the changing geopolitical landscape was unpacked at the gathering, notes a TimesLIVE report. Presenting the keynote speech at the event that attracted political leaders from across Africa, Lamola said evidence suggests there are more than 120 conflicts playing out globally. ‘The two most worrying conflicts which have led to devastating humanitarian crises are in the eastern DRC and Sudan. Unfortunately, both have not received adequate attention from the international community compared to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the devastating war in Gaza and recent tensions between Israel and its Arab neighbours,’ said Lamola. He said in the past few years the continent has been riddled with a resurgence of coups. ‘Six member states remain suspended from the AU because of unconstitutional government changes. SA will continue to work in harmony with, and revive the AU and Regional Economic Communities, the building blocs of African integration,’ Lamola said.

Lamola also noted the threat of terrorism and violent extremism is one of the most pressing peace and security challenges the continent is facing as it has spread to more regions of the continent, including southern Africa. ‘The terrorism and violent extremist acts in Cabo Delgado are not only a security threat for Mozambique, but for the wider southern African region. It is in recognition of this that SA contributed troops towards the SADC Mission in Mozambique, otherwise known as SAMIM.’ SA's Deputy Minister of Defence Bantu Holomisa said in addition to enhancing early warning systems, the continent must also revive and strengthen the AU’s Peace and Security Council which was originally envisioned as a key institution for conflict resolution on the continent, reports TimesLIVE. ‘By refocusing the council's mandate and ensuring it has the resources and authority to act decisively, Africa can better manage its security challenges.’ Sheina Kiyara, director and geopolitical strategist at Think Africa, said the AU's goals for 2063 may not be achievable because they have been formulated based on international guidance rather than considering Africa's distinct potential. ‘It lags behind in keeping up with global politics and is trapped in a repetitive cycle of prioritising the global agenda over Africa's actual needs and what is realistically attainable. Its overall strategy does not align with the power shifts happening in the global arena, and it is falling behind in keeping up with geopolitical trends.‘With the rise of the ‘new world order’, it will be necessary for it to reassess its identity and find a middle ground between what it can offer and what is being offered to it,’ Kiyara said.

Full TimesLIVE report