Online Reporter
Isdore Guvamombe
Africa today remains the major repository of untapped wealth, therefore, cannot be overlooked when matters of international peace and security — which are the bedrock of development — are being discussed with veto power.
The call for Africa to have a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, has reached fever pitch.
The world has ears and those ears are not for decoration, action should be taken now as the UN reforms are gathering traction.
There is no doubt that the single most important reform of our time is granting Africa the permanent seat, if history is not going to judge us harshly for being complicity in failing international governance.
For Africans, anything outside the permanent seat is just cosmetic reforms, on the current ugly scenario.
Back in my village, elders with cotton tuft hair say, no amount of cosmetics can beautify a frog!
The granting of the permanent seat is cogent, for, it is now untenable for the world organisation to continue with the status quo, where Africa is excluded and yet 80 percent of discussions at the council is centred on Africa.
This reminds me of my village.
Back in my village, in the land of milk, honey and dust or Guruve, real men sit in counsel discussing matters of State and governance, while those viewed less useful in contributions are sent goat skinning.
Once in a while, goat skinners are called into the counsel when their information is required, but they are quickly sent out once they make their contribution, to skin and prepare meat for the counsel to eat.
By keeping Africa without a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, the world powers have relegated Africa to a goat-skinning role, way outside the arena where serious world matters of State and governance are discussed. Every sane African must, therefore, feel insulted to the marrow.
Last week at the 2026 UNGA, African leader after another — President Mnangagwa included — made it clear that it is no longer possible for UN to continue without Africa.
Granting Africa a permanent seat on the all-powerful Security Council can transform world politics into a new trajectory, for Africa is the centre of untapped raw material, trade and commerce for all and sundry.
The call for permanent seat epitomises the distress calls over the matter that has increased in both volume, tempo and pitch and crescendo.
Year in and year out since the Ezulwini Consensus was adopted by African leaders, African leaders have been calling for a reform of the UN.
The Ezulwini Consensus contains Africa’s position on the UN reforms and a Committee of 10 was formed to spearhead this, that time chaired by Sierra Leone President Earnest Bai Koroma and it represented two countries each from Africa’s five geographical regions namely Southern, Northern, West, East and Central.
Of critical importance is the call by outgoing UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to reform UN and give Africa a permanent seat, albeit himself having failed to do so during his time.
Africa’s narrative to reform the United Nations must be an African agenda. Every African leader must be involved in the fight. It will never be a small fight.
The world powers would want to maintain hegemony and grip on the powerful UN organ so it will not be a small boys fight, to gain a seat. It will be a big guys, fight.
The UN Security Council is the cockpit of world power and Africa with its 1,3 billion people cannot fail to be represented in the world power matrix.
If the world respects Africans, the same world should understand that Africans must be heard and Africans must participate in critical world peace and security decisions. Is respect not sacrosanct?
By keeping Africa outside the UN Security Council, the world powers have relegated Africa to a goat skinning role, outside the arena where serious matters of State and governance are discussed.
It portrays Africans as useless people, vehemently unable to participate in the main discourse and therefore, should be relegated to the useless function of skinning the goat that feeds those busy engaging in the main discourse. Well, if this is not dehumanising, then what is it?
Africa is only wanted for its vast untapped natural resources and UN is keeping white supremacy intact. It is a racist approach.
Even Kofi Annan who became the first black UN secretary-general, had a ceremonial role to play, but changed nothing.
He came back more white than black. He came back more European than African.
Progressive thinking Africans still await the day when one by one, African leaders stand up and walk out of a UN Summit, demanding nothing but the reforms. That will be the biggest day for Africa.
The African Union Committee of Ten (C10) need to be more aggressive, more combative and confrontational because UN has failed to act on this matter on a diplomatic front.
Everything happening at UN should be interpreted to prop up white supremacy.
The terrace cheering approach will not bring the results to this continent and Africa will forever be treated as young boys, while giving other continents and countries big brother status.
There is no doubt that the founding fathers of Africa’s revolution are twisting and turning in their graves with anger and disgust that the current crop of African leaders have not seen reason to be confrontational.
They should stop mere clapping of hands, weak diplomatic offensive and be more tactical.
This is the best cause worthy fighting for in this day and time. It is a fight worth fighting.
From prudent sayings on wisdom itself, to judicious encouragements, warnings and even quirky advice on learning, patience, unity, wealth, poverty, community, family, love and marriage, African wisdom inspires growth and prosperity. God Bless Africa!
Isdore Guvamombe is a multiple award-winning veteran Zimbabwean journalist and wordsmith known by the sobriquet, The Villager. He does not regret his village upbringing and uses his extraordinary writing skills to articulate issues.
