The Daily Observer (Banjul)
30 October 2009
editorial
Banjul — Activities marking the red letter day that winessed the emergence of the United nations are in progress. In the world over, people from all works of life, particularly those in the public domain are gathering in conferences to discuss ways and means the UN can tackle the global challenges.
In 1945 after the defeat of Nazi Germany, the allied forces converged in Swirtzaland to developed strategic mechanisms that will prevent the occurence of another global war. The out come of that talk gave birth to the famous atlantic charter which eventually lead to the formation of the United Nations. Since then, the UN was tasked with the sole responsibility of promoting world peace; three decades on, conflict is still a parmanent reality in the world. The question that therefore arises is, what is the global challenge that the UN wants to tackle?
As the world take stock to observe the UN day, it is important that the conferences marking the day are turned into forums of sober reflections and critical analysis of this most significant world body so as to asses how far the UN has gone with regards to its mandate, what challenges lie ahead and what needs to be done to tackle the global challenge. In 1945, when the charter that established the UN was signed, it was realized that it is only international justice that can engender world peace; the united nations was therefore expected to be a club among equals because nations regardless of power and strength has a crucial role to play in the promotion of international peace. Unfortunately, the UN gradually departed from that mission and today the body is transformed into a body of the few.
The vast majority of the world's nations continue to be side lined and denied chance to perform at the global political stage.The developing nations are a vivid example; even when it comes to the execution of the UN's mandate, some nations are heavily punished for violating a simple UN resolution and others continue to violate most if not all UN resolutions with impunity. More importantly, the UN who most people trust to put and end to conflict in the world is itself cordoning with the worldÂ's most unjustifiable wars. For instance, even in the war against so-called terrorism, we have seen liberation movements been branded terrorist organizations while rebels in some parts of the world who are committing serious atrocities against humanity are regarded as revolutionaries.
Such an order in the United Nations cannot confront the global challenge as it lacks both the strength and capacity. The truth remains that the increase in the United Nations membership since the 60Â's coupled with a changing world called for turning the Council into a truly representative organ. But the Council was a body frozen in time and procedure while international realities had undergone great changes. It could be recalled that Africa, with its 53 States, had already indicated its firm determination to play its part in a restructured Security Council. In the Harare Declaration of June 1997, African States had advocated expanding Security Council membership to 26 -- with two permanent seats for Africa and five rotating non-permanent seats for the continent, based on criteria prescribed by those same African States; yet Africa's demands is beign given deaf ears.
It is therefore obvious that for the UN to combat the global challenge, it has to put its house in order first. A new world order is necessary to cofront the growing challenges. A new order where all nations in the world have eqaul platform to perform on the world stage and equally to listen and to be listened to and as well equally influenced international relations. In the case of Africa, although not a single African state possesses a permanent seat on the Council, issues affecting the African continent are frequently discussed there. Frankly speaking, it is inconceivable for the Council to function effectively and efficiently without changing its current composition, and increasing the number of permanent and non-permanent seats. For the Council to maintain its relevance and credibility, it needed to evolve to complement the ever-changing world surrounding it. Collective efforts should be focused to ensure that the Council is a representative of the United Nations membership, were all Member States are able to voice their concerns and aspirations in matters related to world peace and security.
It is only a more balanced and comprehensive representation that could lead to a better sense of ownership of the Council for all States and that could be achieved by expanding the membership in both permanent and non-permanent categories. As President Jammeh once stated Â"Africa is ten times larger than Europe as a continent, and they have almost three permanent members, Africa does not have a permanent member. And when you look at the world today, especially the developed world, they developed as a result and at the expense of Africa Â- African resources, African slaves, African bloodshed and tears. Instead of respecting us, they disrespect usÂ'. The UN should therefore take a moment of sober reflection as to what gave birth to the global challenge and what can be done to combat it.
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