AU: Fight for 'historic right'

2005-10-31 20:51

Addis Ababa - Africa must not relent in its pursuit of two permanent veto-wielding seats on an expanded UN security council if stalled reforms to the world body are enacted, an African Union (AU) panel said on Monday.

In a report prepared for a mini-summit of AU leaders aimed at discussing possible changes to the pan-African body's hardline position on expanding the council, it urged no revisions to the controversial position.

"Africa cannot even discuss or entertain what would amount to second-class membership - a permanent membership without a veto," said the report, which was prepared by a panel of experts from 10 of the AU's 53 members.

The recommendation is likely to disappoint proponents of less radical security council reform who had unsuccessfully appealed to the African Union in August to drop their demands for veto power in a bid to ease opposition to expansion.

'Historical right'

But, it found strong support from the few African leaders who attended the summit at AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, one of whom said veto power for Africa should be looked at as a "historical right".

"I believe the major challenge we face now is to take the decision that the allocation of two permanent seats to Africa as a historical right," said President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone one of only four heads of state to attend.

"This is urgent and essential if the AU is to attain its objective," he said.

In July, AU leaders called for the now 15-member UN security council to be enlarged to 26, with six new permanent veto-wielding seats, two of which would be for Africa, and five new non-permanent seats, two of which would be for Africa.

G4 plan

A month later, after heated debate, the bloc rejected calls to change its demand, as divided AU leaders rebuffed an appeal to join the so-called G4 grouping of Brazil, India, Japan and Germany.

The G4 plan proposed expanding the council to 25 members, with six new permanent seats without veto power, including two for Africa, and four non-permanent seats, of which Africa would receive one and share a second with other developing nations.

The AU refusal to change its position was a bitter blow to the G4 and was seen as contributing a month later to the failure of UN leaders to agree on possible reform of the security council.

The G4, however, has not given up hope of lobbying the African Union with Germany's envoy for UN security council reform, Hans-Joachim Daer, in Addis Ababa to urge a speedy decision.

"The worst solution would be to have no decision at all today," Daer told the opening session of the summit.

"The window of opportunity for a reform doesn't stay open indefinitely. Maybe until next year, but not longer."

- AFP