President Bio Receives Strong Backing …As He Champions UNSC Debate To Address Africa’s Representation

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio received strong backing from representatives from other member states at the just concluded United Nations Security Council (UNSC) debate on the maintenance of international peace and security which aimed at addressing the historical injustice and enhance Africa’s effective representation at the Council where he serves as President of the Council.
Leading the debate, the Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres stated that since the United Nations Security Council was established in 11945, it has been a bedrock for global security and peace but that the cracks in its foundation are now becoming too large to ignore.
He mentioned that they are contributing to deadlock, stalemate and stagnation in today’s most pressing crises and feeding a broader crisis of credibility and legitimacy that is affecting multilateralism itself.
“We cannot accept that the world’s preeminent peace and security body lacks a permanent voice for a continent of well over a billion people — a young and rapidly growing population — making up 28 per cent of the membership of the United Nations,” he stated.
He maintained that there can be no global security without Africa’s security.
Just like the UN Secretary General, other representatives supported the fact the Africa has been unrepresented in the Council and that it now time expand Africa’s representation in the non-permanent category and to be represented in permanent category.
Joining the debate, President Bio stated that Africa has long been under-represented in the decision-making processes that shape the world on matters of peace and security.
President Bio emphasized that it is now a settled view that the UN Security Council needs reforming that is irrefutable as the Council has been stuck nearly 80 years after its creation and stressed that its imbalanced composition is at odds with current realities and unjust, which undermines its legitimacy and effectiveness.
“Africa remains the unquestionable victim. With the absence of structural change, the Security Council’s performance and legitimacy remain questionable,” President said.
He maintained that in rectifying the historical injustice that has long plagued the continent, the UN has an opportunity to forge a more just and inclusive world order, one that honours the dignity and aspirations of all nations, regardless of their size or stature.
“Now is the time for action. Africa cannot wait any longer,” President Bio stated.