Algerian Radio
The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, called again on Monday in New York for the granting of a permanent seat to Africa on the UN Security Council. He stated that keeping the continent outside of permanent representation, 80 years after the creation of the United Nations, constitutes "an injustice" against it.
In an address delivered during the Security Council's high-level open debate on the theme "Reaffirming the International Rule of Law: Avenues to Revitalize Peace, Justice, and Multilateralism," Mr. Youssouf highlighted that Africa remains excluded from permanent representation on the Security Council despite its 1.4 billion inhabitants.
"How can one conceive that a continent with 1.4 billion people has no voice in the decisions that determine its destiny?" he asked, describing this situation as "unjust" for Africa and a problem of credibility and effectiveness for the Security Council itself.
In this regard, the African official recalled the continent's united and clear position in favor of obtaining a permanent seat endowed with all prerogatives, including the right of veto, in the name of international equity and justice.
Furthermore, he called for strengthening cooperation between the UN and regional organizations, particularly the African Union, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the UN Charter, through partnerships based on mutual respect, complementarity, and burden-sharing.
"We meet today at a pivotal moment for multilateralism. The international system has allowed for relative stability over eight decades, but it now faces a situation of fragility, marked notably by the trivialization of unilateral measures and the erosion of trust in international organizations," he noted.
Faced with this situation, Mr. Youssouf affirmed that "Africa's position is clear and constant in favor of multilateralism," stressing that "no State, however powerful, can alone face current challenges such as terrorism, climate change, pandemics, poverty, or insecurity, which know no borders and require a collective response based on international law and genuine cooperation."
Drawing on this concrete experience, he specified that when Africa speaks of the rule of law at the international level, "it is not a theoretical concept, but the very foundation of sovereignty, dignity, stability, and sustainable development."
Africa's commitment to peace translates into concrete measures, he added, citing in particular Resolution 19-27, described as a "historic step forward for the partnership between the UN and the African Union."
He also reaffirmed the continued contribution of African states, notably through the deployment of contingents, particularly in Somalia, as well as the continent's willingness to assume increased responsibilities in cooperation with the international community, including through the AU Peace Fund.
In the same spirit, Mr. Youssouf noted that the increasing recourse of African states to judicial mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes, particularly before the International Court of Justice and regional jurisdictions, "reflects the trust placed in the rule of law over the use of force."
He concluded by stating that "for Africa, the rule of law is neither optional nor negotiable, as it constitutes an essential condition for peace."
