ALGIERS, Feb 15 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there was no excuse that Africa still lacks permanent representation at the UN Security Council in the 21st century.
In a speech to the 38th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa on Saturday, he urged remedying "the age-old injustices" done to Africa during the colonization ear.
"The world must never forget that Africa is the victim of two colossal and compounded injustices.
"First, the profound impact of colonialism and the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The roots stretch back centuries and the bitter fruit continues to affect Africans and people of African descent to this day," Guterres noted.
"Decolonization, alone in itself, was not a panacea. Political independence did not free countries from structures based on exploitation and decades of economic, social and institutional underinvestment.
"It is high time for reparatory justice frameworks to be put in place.
"Second, Africa was under colonial domination when today's multilateral system was created -- and that injustice endures.
"Look no further than the United Nations Security Council. -- I will keep working with the African Union and all Member States to ensure the representation Africa needs and the justice you deserve - including with two permanent members of the Security Council.
"And we will keep pressing together for an international financial architecture that is no longer outdated, dysfunctional and unfair," the Secretary General pledged. "Correcting age-old injustices is essential to address here-and-now challenges. And the good news is that we have many of the solutions we need. Last year, you helped drive that effort at the United Nations, with the Pact for the Future.
"I thank Africa for its support that was vital to approve the Pact. Our task now is to make those commitments a reality.
"South Africa's G20 Chairmanship could not come at a better time. Let me point to four areas for action. "First, we must push for peace, security and alleviating appalling levels of human suffering. "Sudan is being torn apart before our eyes -- and is now home to the world's largest displacement crisis and famine. "As we near the holy month of Ramadan, it is time for an immediate cessation of hostilities. "The international community must come together to stop the flow of weapons and the bankrolling of bloodshed. "In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Congolese people have been suffering - yet again - from a brutal cycle of violence.
"And the fighting that is raging in South Kivu - as a result of the continuation of the M23 offensive -- threatens to push the entire region over the precipice.
"Regional escalation must be avoided at all costs," he stressed, noting that "There is no military solution." "In the Sahel, the clear and present threat of terrorism is undermining peace, security and sustainable development. "And in Somalia, we are urging predictable funding for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission and I hope that our voice will be heard by the Security Council.
"And as we gather here in Africa, I know all our minds are also very much on Gaza," he regretted. "A resumption of hostilities must be avoided at all costs. The Palestinian people have suffered too much.
"I welcome efforts by the parties to abide by the ceasefire agreement - and urge action for a permanent ceasefire and release of all hostages. "Peace is possible in the Middle East - and that starts with tangible, irreversible and permanent progress toward the two-State solution - Israel and Palestine - living side-by-side in peace and security," the Secretary-General added.
The AU Summit opened earlier today under the theme of "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations." (end) mr.gb