AU Adopts Report of Committee of 10 on Reforms in UN Security Council

Addis-Ababa: Uganda has joined other African countries to adopt the Report of the Committee of 10 AU-C10 on reforms in the UN Security Council

At a meeting convened by H.E Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the African Union adopted the report with some of the key outcomes including the need to reform the United Nations to conform to the present geopolitical realities, in particular, the need to rectify the historical injustice done to Africa by addressing Africa’s non-representation in the Permanent category and its gross under-representation in the Non-permanent category of the United Nations Security Council.

At the 2022  35th AU summit last year, Uganda made strong calls in advancing the Common African Position on the UN Security Council reform. Vice President Alupo who represented the country at this and last year’s meeting was speaking at the African Union Committee of 10 (C10) meeting held at the sidelines of the summit.

“We demand Africa to have two permanent seats with two veto rights and two more non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council”, Alupo said, adding that this was “Africa’s legitimate right and aspiration to correct the historical injustices endured by the continent”.

Below are excerpts from the meeting report.

The meeting took note of and adopted the 23rd Report of the Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council. The following are some of the key outcomes of the meeting.

The Assembly reiterated the need to reform the United Nations to conform to the present geopolitical realities, in particular, the need to rectify the historical injustice done to Africa by addressing Africa’s non-representation in the Permanent category and its gross under-representation in the Non-permanent category of the United Nations Security Council.

PICTORIAL; Uganda's Delegation at the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the #AUSummit2023@KagutaMuseveni @jessica_alupo @GovUganda @GenJejeOdongo #UGatAU🇺🇬 #BetterAfricaBetterWorld #TheAfricaWeWant pic.twitter.com/lJGlmIT0nt

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Uganda 🇺🇬 (@UgandaMFA) February 19, 2023

It reaffirmed its firm commitment to the Common African Position espoused in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration as the only viable option for Africa’s full representation at the UN Security Council.

It reiterated that full representation of Africa in the United Nations Security Council means: Not less than two (02) Permanent seats with all the prerogatives and privileges of Permanent membership including the right of veto; and five (05) Non-permanent seats. That the African Union reserves the right to select its representatives for election to the UN Security Council to act in its name and on its behalf.

The Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government was requested to continue to reach out at the highest political levels, including with the five Permanent members of the Security Council, with a view to advancing the Common African Position on the reform of the United Nations Security Council.

The Committee of Ten was also requested to continue to intensify its engagement with other Interest and Regional Groups and stakeholders with a view to building on the progress made in advancing the Common African Position on the reform of the United Nations Security Council.

All Member States, to reflect in their respective National statements at the opening of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2023, a concise common language to advance the Common African Position, and to reiterate the call for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council; African Union Member States to include the issue of the United Nations Security Council reform among their foreign policy priorities in their engagements with non-African partners.

Members were firm that it is premature to engage in text-based negotiations and reiterated the firm commitment to preserve Africa’s unity and solidarity on all aspects of the United Nations Security Council reform process, including participation within and outside the intergovernmental negotiations, and to continue to speak cohesively with one voice in the unity of purpose on all aspects of the reform process.

The Assembly reiterated that the African Union Member States in New York with dual membership should withdraw such membership from all other Interest Groups, in order to further consolidate the Common African Position as contained in the Ezulwini consensus and the Sirte Declaration.