The article that I am offering you today concerns burning news: the request of the Congolese President, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, during his speech to the United Nations General Assembly, aimed at expanding the Security Council and integrating two African representatives as permanent members. This request aims to ensure fairer representation and geopolitical balance within this crucial institution.
Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi stressed in his speech that faced with current global challenges, no nation can act alone and that multilateral cooperation is essential. He insisted on the need for the United Nations to adapt to the times and effectively address current challenges.
The Congolese President also criticized the limits of coordination and cooperation between the different institutions and agencies of the United Nations, which often deal with global problems in a contradictory manner. He therefore called for the reform of this 78-year-old institution in order to make it more inclusive and allow decision-making that takes into account the voice of Africa.
This request for expansion of the Security Council is not new. In 2005, the African Union had already insisted on the granting of two permanent seats with veto power. However, the United States, China and Russia have refused this request for many years.
It should be remembered that the United Nations Security Council is currently made up of 15 member countries, including 5 permanent members, which are China, the United States, Russia, France and the United Kingdom. The other 10 members are elected by the General Assembly for a two-year term.
In conclusion, President Tshisekedi’s request to expand the Security Council and integrate two African representatives as permanent members is a legitimate request to ensure more equitable representation within this crucial institution. It remains to be seen whether this request will succeed, taking into account the positions of certain member countries. However, it is clear that the debate on the reform of the United Nations and the inclusiveness of its bodies must be continued to respond to new global challenges.