Ethiopia urges quick reformation of United Nations, says Africa lacks concrete role at world body

ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopian Prime Minster Dr. Abiy Ahmed has told African heads of state and government who were gathering for the 35th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa on Saturday that the African continent lacks a meaningful role at the international governance as it is being underrepresented at the United Nations and other important international organization.

Last December, Dr. Ahmed called for a seat for Africans at the United Nations, asserting that the continent of around 1.3 billion people needs a meaningful recognition and representation at the international stage arguing that issues of the African continent should not be discussed without the continent being a party in the discussion.

“I join other African leaders in reiterating that a continent of around 1.3 billion people needs a permanent voice and seat at the UNSC represented through a bloc,” he wrote in a tweet just a few hours after returning from the front lines in northern Ethiopia in December.

“Issues and decisions that concern the continent cannot continue being addressed without continental representation,” he added.

Addressing the 35^th African Union summit in Addis Ababa over the weekend, the powerful Ethiopian premier said the African continent has remained with no meaningful contribution to the United Nations as it has not been properly represented at the world stage.

“Today, more than seven decades after the creation of the United Nations, Africa remains a junior partner without meaningful input or role in the system of international governance. This is particularly true of the United Nations where Africa lacks representation on the Security Council and is underrepresented in a variety of ways,” Dr. Ahmed said.

“It is the right time to reform and revitalize the United Nations system to reflect current global realities and ensure that it is a more representative and equitable body. Only fair representation and transparency in those institutions can usher in a just era in multilateralism,” he added.

The Ethiopian leader added: “Consistent with our Ezulwini Consensus of 2005, we should collectively insist that Africa’s reasonable request for no less than two permanent seats and five non-permanent seats in the UN Security Council be adopted.”