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President Cyril Ramaphosa.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa wants the UN Security Council to be more representative.
- He called on the international community to support a comprehensive Covid-19 stimulus package for African countries.
- The pandemic has highlighted the urgency of ending poverty in all its forms, Ramaphosa told the UN.
President Cyril Ramaphosa reiterated the position of South Africa and the continent that the United Nations (UN) Security Council should be more representative.
Ramaphosa told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that South Africa is currently serving its second year as a non-permanent elected member of the Security Council.
“We have used our mandate to promote international peace and security by advocating for the peaceful settlement of disputes and inclusive dialogue,” he said.
“The current composition of the Security Council does not reflect the world in which we live.
“On the 75th anniversary of the UN, we repeat our call for greater representation of African countries in the Security Council, and that this be urgently addressed in intergovernmental negotiations.”
He said that only through a reformed and inclusive Security Council will some of the longest-running conflicts in the world be resolved.
As president of the African Union, Ramaphosa said African countries are continuing their efforts to silence weapons through conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
“Cooperation between the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council has contributed to improving peace and security in the Darfur region in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Mali and the Central African Republic” , said.
He added that it is imperative that this collaboration be institutionalized and that the financing of the AU’s peacekeeping operations be addressed and resolved.
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Ramaphosa also called for an end to the occupation of Palestine and Western Sahara and the lifting of the economic embargo and the blockade of Cuba.
Ramaphosa, who addressed the assembly in a pre-recorded message like all the other world leaders, put the subject of his speech on the parallels between the aftermath of World War II, when the UN was formed 75 years ago, and the devastation caused by the current world situation. COVID-19 pandemic.
He called on the international community to support the implementation of a comprehensive stimulus package for African countries.
“This will allow African countries not only to mitigate the health impacts of Covid-19, but also to assist us in the immense task of rebuilding our shattered economies,” he said.
“To ensure that no country is left behind, we reiterate our position, as the African Union, that economic sanctions against Zimbabwe and Sudan must be lifted to allow their governments to adequately respond to the pandemic.”
He also called for the suspension of interest payments on Africa’s public and external debt.
“As the African Union, we are encouraged by the collaboration of the G20, the IMF, the World Bank and the UN to find solutions to debt sustainability in developing countries.”
He said the pandemic has highlighted the urgency to end poverty in all its forms, everywhere.
“We must expand economic opportunities to all people around the world, but most especially to the world’s youth, women and vulnerable people,” Ramaphosa said.
“We must boldly pursue avenues of redistribution and redistribution as a means to promote shared prosperity.
“We must deal decisively with the rottenness of corruption that is robbing our people of the opportunities and services they are entitled to.
“Together, we must raise our level of ambition to ensure that all men, women and children have the same opportunities for a better future.
“It is a future free from hunger, disease, insecurity and war.
“It is a world that affirms the dignity and worth of all, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation or social circumstances.”
