Consultation between the African Union and the African Civil Society Organizations on the Common African Position on the UN Security Council Reform
The First Consultation on the Common African Position on the United Nations Security Council Reform (Ezulwini Consensus) between H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) of the African Union and Representatives of the African CSOs, Think and Do Tanks, Media and Academia was held virtually on 22 May 2024. This historic, first ever interactive consultation was organised by the Department of PAPS, under the auspices of Commissioner Bankole, in collaboration with Sierra Leone and Algeria to discuss the geopolitical and strategic considerations for the expansion of the UNSC and the latest developments around it.
The Common African Position on the UNSC Reform was adopted by the AU Member States in 2005 and it calls for allocating two (2) seats in the permanent category with all its prerogatives and privileges including the right of Veto, and two (2) additional seats in the non-permanent category of the Security Council to have a total of five (5) seats.
The main objective of this Consultation was to avail a platform for a multi-stakeholder’s conversation with the African CSOs to popularize and support the Common African Position on the UNSC Reform as well as the Ezulwini Consensus, which seek to remove the historical injustice that is imposed on the African continent, ahead of the ministerial meeting holding in Algiers next month.
The African Position on the UNSC Reform led to the establishment of a Committee of ten (10) Heads of State and Government (known as the C-10), which is coordinated by the Republic of Sierra Leone. The C-10 has been in the forefront championing for the implementation of the African Common Position.
During the Consultation, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security stated that the African Union (AU) has been a fundamental actor in the enforcement of peace and security on the continent. However, the challenges posed by the Africa’s limited representation in the UNSC restrict the AU’s ability to deliver effective and concrete conflict resolution. He also added that the quest for the UN Security Council Reform is a legitimate demand as we make effort to support conflict resolution in Africa, it is impossible to disassociate it from peace operations, largely concentrated on the continent and implemented by the UN Security Council. During recent decades, Africa has been the main topic dealt with by the UNSC. Interaction between Africa and the UN’s main decision-making forum is currently vital for addressing and resolving conflicts on the continent.
Ambassador Bankole also highlighted latest developments relating to the implementation of the African Position as well as the implementation of the Oyella Roadmap, which was adopted in November 2023 in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. The outcome of the Consultation will feed into the forthcoming 11th Ministerial Meeting of the C-10 on the UNSC Reform, which will be held on 09-10 June 2024 in Algiers, Algeria.
Participants in the Consultation thanked Commissioner Bankole for organizing this importation engagement and pledged to popularize and support the African Position on the UNSC Reform and requested the African Union Commission to continue organizing such processes with the wider African civil society organizations.