Zuma calls for a place at UN table for Africa

President Jacob Zuma has spoken out on Africa having a permanent seat on the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

Leading industrialised countries of the West, along with Russia and China, are the main players represented on the council that oversees world security matters, including peacekeeping.

Its decisions mostly reflect the interests of member states.

Addressing the Africa Day celebrations at the presidential guesthouse in Pretoria yesterday, Zuma said Africa had changed over the years from colonised to independent states and therefore there was a need to change the way the world was governed.

“As Africa changes, so too must the instruments of global governance. That is why we continue to call for the reform of the UN Security Council,” Zuma said.

He added: “The whole system of international governance should thus be much more democratic and rules-based.”

Zuma said Africa had made tremendous progress in promoting democracy since the formation of the Organisation of African Unity.

He commended the zero tolerance for coups d’état and the action taken by African Union leaders against their fellow leaders who refused to accept the outcomes of democratic elections.

“This has set a new tone on the continent with regards to promoting constitutional changes to governments,” Zuma said.

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