Online Reporter
Gibson Nyikadzino
Zimpapers Politics Hub
The United Nations, whose mandate is to ensure the world has peace, is secure and states have equal sovereignty, is undergoing a tremendous transformation.
Times have changed for the UN. It’s founding objectives are showing signs of a significant shift. The biggest shift is that some permanent members of one of its principal organs, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), are expanding their spheres of influence by openly pursuing aggressive imperial designs and strategies.
It is in such a time that Zimbabwe is vying for election for a UNSC non-permanent seat, when the UN Charter is under attack, its principles not entirely held, yet the world remains hopeful. Five UNSC non-permanent seats are to be filled tomorrow, for the 2027/28 rotational period. Countries that will be replaced as non-permanent members are Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia. Members cannot immediately run for re-election after serving a term.
The elected members will join the five permanent UNSC and veto-wielding members (Britain, China, France, Russia, USA) and the non-permanent ones, Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia.
Key Contests
Seven countries are set for the election. However, the UN General Assembly uses a strict geographical quota system to distribute the 10 non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to ensure regional representation.
The Asia-Pacific group has two countries, the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan; a three-horse race for the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) is represented by Portugal, Austria and Germany; the African group has Zimbabwe; and Trinidad and Tobago is the sole nominated candidate for the Latin American and Caribbean Group.
Between the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan are key contests on what the two countries will represent and want to advance. For the Philippines, it is emphasising the rule of law and stability in the West Philippine maritime area, while Kyrgyzstan is hoisting its high parliamentary representation of women.
In the WEOG, two countries among Austria, Germany, and Portugal will have to be in the UNSC. The trio’s campaigns are anchored on pillars that are giving emphasis to multilateralism, global cooperation through fair partnerships and international law.
Zimbabwe, backed by Africa, is focusing on a ticket of multilateralism and inclusivity, sovereign equality and advocating for the peaceful co-existence of states, South-South cooperation, and resolution of global conflicts through diplomacy. For Trinidad and Tobago, emerging threats, protection of vulnerable communities and the upholding of international law, formulate its campaign. The incoming members will start their mandate on January 1, 2027.
Voting Procedure
The election of the UNSC non-permanent members takes places via a secret ballot in the UN General Assembly Hall. A country is elected after attaining two-thirds majority of the vote of all the present and voting members.
If all 193 UN member states are present and voting, a candidate requires a minimum of 129 positive votes to win a seat.
In the event of a tie-breaker and or a deadlock, that is, if a candidate does not reach the required two-thirds threshold in the first round, additional “restricted ballots” are held. In restricted ballots, votes may only be cast for the candidates who received the most votes in the previous round. If voting remains deadlocked, the General Assembly may open the field up to any country within the unrepresented region.
