The United Nations General Assembly is an essential event on the international agenda. Every year, representatives from countries around the world come together to discuss global challenges and discuss ways to solve them. The 78th session of the General Assembly is currently taking place from September 19 to 26, 2023.
This year’s General Assembly is of particular importance due to the many political and socio-economic upheavals facing the world. Among the topics discussed at the AGM, Africa occupies a prominent place, with representatives from 17 African nations scheduled to speak at the podium.
However, an African country that should have spoken at this session, Niger, is encountering obstacles. Following the coup d’état which took place on July 26, 2023, the military junta which took power is not recognized by the United Nations. Consequently, Niger risks not being able to speak during the General Assembly.
The representative of Niger, Yaou Sangaré Bakary, should have spoken on behalf of his country during this session. However, the UN authorities decided to deprogram his speech, because the ruling junta is not recognized as a legitimate authority. This raised questions about how the junta’s foreign minister was able to access the UN headquarters, given that his ambassador badge should have been deactivated.
The situation in Niger illustrates the challenges the UN faces when it comes to upholding democratic principles and respecting legitimate governments. As the international community strives to promote democracy and human rights, cases like this raise questions about how international institutions should respond to coups and undemocratic regimes.
Despite this controversy, the United Nations General Assembly continues to take place, with numerous speeches and debates addressing increasingly pressing issues, such as climate change, international conflicts and social inequality. Representatives from African countries present will have an important opportunity to make their voices heard and propose innovative solutions to address the challenges facing the continent.
In conclusion, the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly is a key moment for international diplomacy. Although Niger faces difficulties in participating in this global event, it is essential that African voices continue to be heard and concrete actions are taken to address the global challenges we face. The UN must continue to work to promote democracy and human rights, while being attentive to the political and social realities of each country. Only in this way can we build a better future for all.