Africa Focus: Uganda re-awakens Africa's push for UN reforms

Over the past several months, Uganda has been at the forefront of pushing Africa's demand for UN reforms.

The country's President Yoweri Museveni of late has been carrying out shuttle diplomacy, lobbying world powers to consider Africa's concerns in order to continue promoting peace and security in the world.

From Japan, China to the UN, the East African leader is pushing for Africa's position referred to as Ezulwini Consensus.

In 2005, Africa established a united position (Ezulwini Consensus) on UN reform calling for the inclusion of two permanent and five non-permanent seats for African countries on the UN Security Council and extension of veto powers (should they remain) to new permanent members.

The Security Council has five permanent members namely Britain, US, France, Russia and China.

Africa argued that in 1945, when the UN was being formed, most of Africa was not represented and that in 1963, when the first reform took place, Africa was represented but was not in a particularly strong position.

The continent now argues that it should be fully represented in all the decision-making organs of the UN, particularly in the Security Council, which is the principal decision-making organ of the UN in matters relating to international peace and security.

Africa among others also demands that the African Union should be responsible for the selection of Africa's representatives on the Security Council.

James Mugume, Uganda's permanent secretary ministry of foreign affairs told Xinhua in a recent interview that as other world powers lobby Africa, the continent is also free to lobby.

"For us we believe that our strength is in unity. It is a negotiation and we are not going to push other people's agenda. Everybody is lobbying, Japan is lobbying under the Group of Four that is Germany, Japan, India and Brazil. We as Africa we are also lobbying," he said.

While on a four-day visit to Japan mid last month, Museveni blamed the current political crises in the world on a few people monopolizing decision making.

He blamed the Security Council of the refugee crisis that Europe is facing.

"That huge human suffering ... these mistakes must be stopped by collective wisdom," Museveni said.

He said Uganda is in agreement with Japan that a small group of countries should not monopolize decision making for the whole world.

"I benefit a lot when I come here and discuss with the prime minister to get the logic of the G4. We shall continue to exchange views on these processes," Museveni said.

While speaking at the Chinese embassy in Kampala, Museveni said the UN should not be seen as being used to push selfish interests.

"If the UN is not careful, it may become part of the problem, not part of the solution. If some people want to use the UN to push their interests, there will be trouble in the world," Museveni.

At a function held on Oct. 1 at the Chinese embassy in Uganda to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Museveni said China is careful not to give lectures and sticks to the UN principle on non-interference.

"If you try to give lectures, you will fail. There is nothing anybody can tell me about Uganda and Africa that I don't know," Museveni said.

He was speaking in reference to Western powers dictating to African leaders on how to manage their countries.

Zhao Yali, Chinese ambassador to Uganda said China will remain committed to a peaceful world.

"No matter how much stronger it may become, China will never seek hegemony or expansion," he told the gathering that also included government ministers and diplomats from other countries.

Uganda in 2009 took a seat at the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member. The country argued that during its two-year period at the Security Council, it had pushed for the African agenda. Enditem