Online Reporter
The Herald, 15 July 1999
AFRICA has once again called for the democratisation of the United Nations and the Security Council to ensure balanced consideration of the legitimate concerns of all nations.
In a communique issued at the end of the 35th Ordinary Session of the assembly of heads of State and government of the OAU in Algiers, Africa’s leaders reaffirmed their commitment to respect the major role and responsibilities of the UN and its security council in the maintenance of international peace and security.
“In this connection, we once again call for a genuine democratisation of international relations based on the active participation and a balanced consideration of the legitimate concerns of all nations. “We call, in particular, for the democratisation of the United Nations and its Security Council, and the recognition of Africa’s legitimate place within its organ.”
Africa has in the past years been calling for the democratisation of the UN and its organs, with President Mugabe being one of the most vocal on the issue. Apart from the UN, Africa also saw the need for democratisation in other international organisations, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
While looking forward to a bright future, the leaders recognised several problems and challenges facing the continent. They saw a continent in conditions of “extreme adversity”, as evidenced by conflicts, problems emanating from a political and administrative organisation rooted in authoritarianism and ethnic divisions, illiteracy and marginalisation of the Africans.
“All these problems constitute an unwieldly heritage whose cumulative effects have been, and continue to be, for the most part, the root cause of the numerous conflicts, crisis, poverty and underdevelopment weighing heavily on the overwhelming majority of the peoples of Africa.”
