By Ollus Ndomu
The renewed push for the expansion of the United Nations Security Council -UNSC- to include permanent representation for Africa is vital for making the continent an agent of global peace, not just a mere subject. The current structure of the Council is short of global diversity and security democratization, making it an alien grouping to most of Africa’s conservative communities.
At present, the Council has 15 members countries, five of whom are permanent, including, France, China, Russia, Britain and the United States. According to its operation mandate, only the five permanent members have the right of veto.
It is in our belief that development, peace and security are indivisible, thus, the Security Council’s strategies aimed at promoting lasting peace, must be devised in full harmony with policies for socio-economic development.
The Council cannot continue operating without a direct and permanent representation of 1.3 billion Africans. Africa is part of the global village and should have its voice on all global affairs.