Africa's Quest for Reform of the United Nations Security Council: A Just Cause Curbed by Unrealistic Proposals

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/ajcr.v23i1.16785

Keywords:

Decolonisation, Security Council, African Union, Ezulwini Consensus, Representation, Veto

Abstract

The debate around viable global governance has become increasingly topical, particularly from the perspective of countries in the Global South. Concerning Africa, despite the continent's quest to reform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), existing research has failed to comprehensively address the topic. Consequently, this article explores the arguments and challenges surrounding Africa's drive to secure a permanent voice in the UNSC. It argues that despite the enduring legacies of colonialism, neocolonial interventions, and being the primary concern of the UNSC agenda, Africa's claim for fair representation in the Council remains. The article attempts to address the research gap and contribute to the existing debate by examining why Africa has failed to be represented in the UNSC. Africa's collective initiative towards reforming the UN system is instrumental in ensuring inclusive and sustainable global governance. Nonetheless, Africa's insistence on immediate and full veto power for new entrants and its demand for representation merely through numbers inside the UN are unfeasible.

Author Biographies

Niguse Mandefero Alene, Bahir Dar University

Mr Niguse Mandefero Alene is a Lecturer and PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science and International Studies at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia.

Mohammed Seid Ali, Bahir Dar University

Dr Mohammed Seid Ali is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Studies at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia.

Kebede Yimam Tadesse, Bahir Dar University

Dr Kebede Yimam Tadesse is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science and International Studies at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia.

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Published

2023-08-31

How to Cite

Alene, N. M., Ali, M. S. and Tadesse, K. Y. (2023) “Africa’s Quest for Reform of the United Nations Security Council: A Just Cause Curbed by Unrealistic Proposals”, African Journal on Conflict Resolution, 23(1). doi: 10.17159/ajcr.v23i1.16785.

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