United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said there is no excuse for Africa not having permanent representation in the UN Security Council.
The Secretary-General made the call at the opening session of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) that kicked off Saturday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
“The world must never forget that Africa is the victim of two colossal and compounded injustices – colonialism and the trans-Atlantic slave trade,” said Guterres highlighting that their impact continues to affect the people of African descent to date.
Guterres told African leaders the UN would strive for fair representation of Africa in global governance and help advocate the continent assume two permanent seats in the Security Council.
Decolonisation alone in itself was not a panacea, Guterres said, noting that political independence did not free countries from structures which were founded on exploitation and decades of economic, social and institutional under investments.
He said “Look no further than the United Nations Security Council. There is no excuse that Africa still lacks permanent representation in the 21st century.”
Guterres reaffirmed UN’s commitment to working with the African Union and member states to ensure that Africa’s rightful representation and justice are realized.
MG/as/APA
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