Vice President Maj. Jessica Rose Alupo Epel, has presented Uganda’s position on the proposed reforms into the composition of the United Nations Security Council [UNSC], noting that the reforms are necessary and must not be delayed any further.
According to Alupo, there is however, need for the current five permanent members of the UNSC [who include Russia, United States, China, Britain and France] to show genuine political will to consent to the full reform of the Council.
She said the reforms would make the Council more inclusive, just, equitable, transparent, responsive and democratic.
The Vice President made the remarks this afternoon while presenting Uganda’s statement in the 7th Summit of the African Union Committee of Ten [C10] Heads of State and Government on the reform of the UNSC. The meeting took place at the UN General Headquarters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly [UNGA 80] in New York where is also supposed to present Uganda’s position on key global issues including peace, security and climate change.
“Africa must be represented in the UNSC by not less than two permanent seats with equal prerogatives and privileges of the permanent membership and two more permanent seats in the non-permanent category. The time is now for the genuine demonstration of political will by the five permanent members of the UNSC to consent to the full reform of the council” she told the AU C10 Summit to which Uganda, Senegal, Zambia, Angola among others are members.
She noted that at this important time when the UN is marking its 80th anniversary, it is important for African Union to move forward the process of demanding for UNSC reforms so as to achieve tangible results.
Alupo commended the AU through the C10 for the unwavering commitment to advancing the common African position on the reform of the UNSC since its adoption in 2005 and for keeping Africa solidly united to this cause. She noted that the C10 has made significant progress in promoting, advocating and canvassing support for the common African position through diplomatic engagements with several relevant stakeholders and interest groups within the Inter-governmental negotiation frameworks and at the multilateral levels.
The Vice President, who also represents Katakwi district in parliament, reiterated Uganda’s demand for all historical injustices against Africa to be rectified without any further delays. She said that Africa needs to be prioritized as a special case for adequate representation at the UNSC.
“We remain steadfast for the immediate full reform of the UNSC and for Africa to be adequately represented in both permanent and non-permanent categories in line with the common African position. Any further postponement of the council’s reform process undermines Africa’s interests, the maintenance of international peace and security, and global development” she warned.
The country’s 2iC also observed the need for Africa to step up the ‘Building the Africa We Want’ agenda [2063], adding that the continent needs to remain united and speaking with one voice on all aspects of the UNSC process.
Meanwhile, a versatile Alupo has held bilateral discussions with a line of high-level dignitaries while in New York. Among the top-level dignitaries is the UN Secretary General H.E Antonnio Guteress at his office at the UN headquarters. Another big-name person she met this afternoon was the President of Boeing and reiterated Uganda’s commitment to advance the aviation sector with this company. Well, enjoy the pictures!
