Luanda - Angola advocates adapting the United Nations, especially its Security Council, to the current world reality, so that it can be more representative.
This point of view was highlighted by the permanent representative of the Angolan Mission to the United Nations in New York, Francisco José da Cruz, in an interview with Voice of America, within the framework of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, whose high-level session will take place next week.
He recalled that Africa is the only continent that is not represented on the Security Council, where major decisions on matters of international peace and security are taken, a fact that he considers a heavy historical legacy.
However, the African position, based on the Sirte declaration, is that it should have two permanent seats in this body and five non-permanent seats, that is, two more to add to the three non-permanent seats that Africa already has.
“We hope that once this new framework is approved, the conditions will be created for Africa to better play its role at the United Nations and to be able to have its interests better translated and represented”.
He stated that most of the Security Council's agenda, when it comes to peace and security, has to do with the African continent. In this context, Francisco da Cruz explained that during his presidency of the African Union, starting in February next year, Angola will give more impetus to this claim.
He said that it will be part of the ongoing engagement that exists between the African Union and the United Nations. However, he acknowledged that significant steps have been taken recently, with the approval of a resolution for the United Nations to finance African Union peacekeeping operations.
"This is a topic that still needs further discussion so that we can reach an understanding on the practical issues of its implementation", stressed the Angolan diplomat.
Angola's Engagement
During the interview, the diplomat emphasized that Angola has been very engaged in issues of peace and security on the continent since the beginning of its independence.
In recent times, he stressed, there has been a great commitment to peace and stability in the Great Lakes region, specifically through the support that is being given to the stability of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
He said that, based on his experience, the President of Angola, João Lourenço, has been chosen by his peers as the African Union's champion for peace and has known how to do his best to bring more stability to the continent.
He mentioned the issues that concern Africa at the moment, such as the internal conflict in Sudan, the transition of the Central African Republic, terrorism, the challenges that are emerging due to the unconstitutional changes of government, among others, which will be part of the very dynamic agenda and comprehensive role of Angola's presidency of the African Union.
As for other experiences that Angola can share on the international stage, he spoke of its path towards achieving peace, in the face of a “terrible” armed conflict.
He asserted that the country has currently managed to overcome its differences and reach a national commitment based on democratic structures that are strengthened every day, in an environment of political inclusion and tolerance. “We believe it is essential to share with other African countries, especially those that are in conflict situations”, he stressed. To this end, he reported that Angola holds the Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace every two years, to share knowledge and experiences so that Africa can achieve peace through sustainable and inclusive political solutions, which truly create an environment of stability that is more common, that can attract investment and promote the development of the continent.
The President's Speech at the UN
When making a prediction about the speech by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, at the 79th UN General Assembly, he predicted that it would focus on Angola's role in mediating conflicts and its position on global disagreements. “He may also address the impact of climate change on the continent, with Africa being one of the most affected regions and the one that pollutes the least”.
According to Francisco da Cruz, the presence of the Head of State is always an opportunity to highlight the importance of multilateralism in resolving global problems and concerns, so that the solutions to be found can include everyone, and he may also speak about the importance of the United Nations Charter.
During the interview, the diplomat also spoke about the agenda of the General Assembly, which should include issues on world peace and security and issues related to climate change. Regarding the agenda of the Angolan delegation, headed by the President of the Republic, he spoke about participation in high-level meetings, in addition to several bilateral contacts.ART/TED/jmc
