A Central African country, the DRC has already been elected twice as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council: during the period 1982-1983, then 1991-1992 during the Gulf War, recalled Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner , Minister of Foreign Affairs in front of diplomats and Congolese officials.
On this last occasion, “our country played a key role in condemning Iraq for its invasion of Kuwait,” she said.
“After more than three decades of absence from the Security Council, our country is once again a candidate, supported by the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC),” continued Ms. Kayikwamba Wagner.
On September 25, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi announced the DRC’s candidacy for this seat in the UN General Assembly.
The same day, in Kinshasa, a few hundred people demonstrated against this initiative, denouncing repeated “human rights violations” in the country. The election for this non-permanent member seat on the Security Council is scheduled for next June.
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Ms. Kayikwamba Wagner particularly praised the experience of the DRC which is home to one of the most important UN peacekeeping missions in the world (MONUSCO, the former MONUC which currently has 15,000 peacekeepers).
If elected, the DRC intends to “influence the debate on the reform of peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations, as well as the reform of the United Nations collective security system,” said Ms. Kayikwamba Wagner.
A country plagued by violence in its eastern part for 30 years, the DRC promises to make available to the Security Council its “experience in strengthening conflict resolution mechanisms (…) to prevent wars and tensions international”.
The Security Council is considered the most powerful organ of the United Nations. It is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, can make legally binding decisions, and has the power to impose sanctions or authorize the use of force.
Several African countries, including South Africa and Nigeria, are demanding permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council.
Par Le360 Africa (with AFP)
12/19/2024 at 3:39 p.m.
