President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for urgent reforms at the United Nations to ensure Africa is allocated two permanent seats at the Security Council complete with all attendant rights and prerogatives.
The Head of State said besides the two permanent seats being demanded by the continent, Africa deserves more non-permanent seats.
Currently, Africa has three non-permanent seats at the UN Security Council.
He was speaking when he delivered Kenya’s country statement at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday afternoon.
The additional seats, according to him, would correct the historical injustices that Africa has suffered at the global body over the years.
“As we all know, Africa is under represented in the non permanent category of the Security Council and not represented at all in the permanent category,” President Kenyatta observed.
“This historical injustice is a clear indication of the skewed system that has perpetuated an exclusive model of governance that fuels the trust gap between nations, ” the President added. In the speech that lasted slightly under twenty minutes, President Kenyatta pointed out that real change at the global body cannot be realized without reforms to the membership of the UN Security Council.
The President said the global governance system needs to reform for it to be relevant and effective in addressing current and emerging global challenges.
He pointed out that multilateral-ism has come under severe strain due to mistrust among global leaders and can only be addressed through genuine reforms.
The Head of State pointed out that populism and extremism unleashed at the national level has brought forward powerful constituencies that want a dismantling of the global order.
For this to change, said President Kenyatta, there is an urgent political need for the world to close the trust gap between people and governing institutions.
He noted that mistrust among the global community can only be addressed if the leadership and processes of the multilateral system are inclusive of all stakeholders.
The President said lack of proper inclusive leadership at the global institutions has greatly contributed to corruption and impunity not only in national governments but also globally.
President Kenyatta further observed that for national governments to succeed in combating corruption, there is need for the international organizations to combat the vice.
The President noted that Kenya has reached out to partners such as Switzerland and the United Kingdom to return illegal proceeds of corruption which have been stashed in their banking and financial systems.
The President noted that current challenges bedevilling the world require greater cooperation and partnerships so as to achieve better solutions for all.
President Kenyatta said the world stands in a decisive moment, and pledged Kenya’s willingness to play its part by championing for change for the benefit of all.
[Video] Kenya seeks UN reforms for Africa #DayBreak: President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for urgent reforms at United Nations to ensure Africa is allocated 2 permanent sits at the UN Council. Citizen TV is K.. https://t.co/dwAKHClupl
— Breaking News (@News_Kenya) September 27, 2018