ANC reiterates demand for UN Security Council overhaul

The ANC’s Naledi Pandor made the call during a media briefing on Friday. 

Pandor, who also serves as Minister of International Relations, stressed that the Security Council should be the premier body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.

However, Pandor said, this can only be possible if veto power is removed from permanent members. 

The United States has vetoed previous attempts to vote in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza and Ukraine.

 Following several failed attempts over five months of Israel’s devastating war in Gaza, the United Nations Security Council last week finally passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. 

The only remaining hurdle to such a call was the United States, which decided not to strike down the resolution.

During the media briefing on Friday, Pandor said the ANC fully supports the Ezulwini Consensus adopted by the African Union in 2005.

The Ezulwini Consensus represents a common position that the majority of Africa was not represented when the UN was founded, making reform necessary.

The Ezulwini Consensus also demands that Africa be given two permanent seats with all the rights and privileges of permanent membership, including the veto, as well as five non-permanent seats.

"The ANC supports calls for the urgent reform of the United Nations and its institutions. As part of building a better Africa and world, we are continuing with this important work,” Pandor said. 

“South Africa, in keeping with the Ezulwini Consensus, fully supports calls for the democratisation of the United Nations Security Council as the premier body responsible for maintaining international peace and security. 

“We continue to work with like-minded and progressive countries and organisations across the globe to make sure this decision is realised.” 

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