Museveni calls for reforms in the UN Security Council

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President Yoweri Museveni has called for reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), giving Africa at least two Permanent Seats with veto power as well as two Non-Permanent Seats in the United Nations Security Council.

Museveni's stand is contained in his statement at the 6th Summit of the Committee of Ten African Union Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council (C-10) held virtually on Friday, July 25.

Museveni's speech was delivered by Amb. Adonia Ayebare, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Amb. Adonia Ayebare, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. (Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

A release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that, since 2005, the C-10, on behalf of the African Union, has been working to champion the Common African Position (CAP) on the reform of the UNSC.

The resolutions of the C-10 will form the African position to be discussed at the United Nations General Assembly and other fora.

On Friday, President Museveni also called on the United Nations to consider the African proposals for fair representation to rectify the historical injustice against Africa, which was perpetrated by the exploitative colonial powers.

He noted that at the time the United Nations was founded in 1945, Africa had only four (4) Independent States (Ethiopia, Liberia, Egypt and the Union of South Africa) and only these were invited to the San Francisco Conference at which the UN Charter and the Statute of the ICJ were adopted.

Currently, Africa has 54 independent States, which form almost 28% of the UN membership. It is therefore imperative to reform the UNSC to reflect the current realities.

Museveni also urged members of the C-10 and the African Union in general to step up building the “Africa We Want” in accordance with the vision of the African Union, united, cohesive and speaking with one voice in all aspects of the UNSC reforms.

The Summit was convened by Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, who is also the coordinator of the C-10. The Summit was also attended by Heads of State of Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Namibia and Zambia. The Heads of State of Algeria, the Congo Republic, and Senegal were ably represented by Ministers.