The African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State Summit has reaffirmed Africa’s common position for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
The summit which has closed in Livingstone today declared that Africa’s demand for UN reforms is a viable quest that needs concerted efforts and support to come to fruition.
Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba read the communiqué in which the Summit further agreed to canvass the support of other member states and create impetus in reforming the UN system.
Mr Kalaba said the Summit had met to map out strategies to further expand and intensify advancement of the African Common Position as outlined in the Ezulwini Consensus.
The Ezulwini Consensus underscores Africa’s goal to be fully represented in all decision making organs of the UN particularly the Security Council.
The Summit also committed to engage in the inter-governmental negotiation process consistent with decision 62/557 based on agreed principles and criteria in order to push Africa’s agenda.
The Summit paid glowing tribute to host President Edgar Lungu and his Sierra Leone counterpart Ernest Bai Koroma for strong leadership and commitment in spearheading the pursuit of the C10 mandate and advancing the objectives of the African Common Position on reforming the UN Security Council.
President Edgar Lungu said Africa has talked much for the last 10 years and needs to act on the Ezulwini consensus and bring it to life.
The Head of State said Africa’s agenda is a living concept that should be espoused to the international community.
And President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone , who is Coordinator of the Committee of Ten countries said time was now ripe for the world to effect changes in the UN system
Dr Koroma said Africa has reached a critical point in the pursuit of implementing the Ezulwini consensus that seeks to correct the historical injustice and reposition Africa in the global community.
And Namibian President Hage Geingob regretted that Africa has not made much progress in the last 10 years to realize the goal of having representation on the UN Security Council.
Dr Geingob, who was attending his first international heads of state summit since his recent inauguration as President of Namibia, said there is no reason why Africa should be denied her rightful place on the UN Security Council.
He urged African countries to be resolute and show commitment by attending to activities and programmes designed by the AU Committee of Ten to realize the goal for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
And Libyan Deputy President Ihmad Homa who is also Deputy Speaker pledged to galvanise support from African – Arab countries to support Africa’s common position for UN reforms.
The next AU Committee of Ten Heads of State summit will be held in Namibia .
Yes and they should appoint me as africa’s rep on the security council
One wonders why there were only 3 out of 10 Presidents. Is Africa serious?
After experiencing first hand European and then now North American true democratic governance, intelligent, genuine, smart, dedicated, corruption free leadership, Non Of these African dimwits can inspire me anymore.