WeeklySA_AdminCENTRE-STAGE: Progressive countries join hands to push for the move, as Colombia applies to ICJ to join SA’s genocide case…
By Lehlohonolo Lehana
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor says the African National Congress (ANC) supports calls for the urgent reform of the United Nations (UN) and its institutions.
Pandor briefed the media on Friday about Priority 6 of the ANC’s election manifesto, which centres on building a better Africa and a better world.
She said that they would continue to work with like-minded and progressive countries and organisations across the globe to make sure this decision is realised.
It is believed that by reforming the UN, the power of the US will be diminished and strip it of its veto rights, potentially leading to more rapid resolutions in matters of peace and security.
Pandor stressed that the United Nations 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. This move and the call to reform the UN comes months after the South African government took the Israeli government to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for committing genocide in Gaza.
In January, the ICJ ruled in favour of South Africa’s request for provisional measures against the Israeli government over the Gaza war. The case was heard at The Hague in the Netherlands. It was a landmark decision in a case that has drawn global attention.
As part of the ruling, the court ordered Israel to report to the court within a month on what it is doing to uphold the order to take all measures within its power to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.
“As the ANC, we have acted in solidarity with those struggling for justice and self-determination, most particularly the Palestinians.
ANC has actively supported the South African Government in its efforts to bring about justice and self-determination for the Palestinian people,” she 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.”
The Ezulwini Consensus represents a common position that the majority of Africa was not represented when the UN was founded, making reform necessary.
Pandor said the ANC fully supports the Ezulwini Consensus adopted by the African Union in 2005. Despite the African Union (AU) becoming a full member of the G20, Pandor said it was worth noting that this was done through the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Pandor highlighted that now that the AU is a member of G20, it will be beneficial. “This (G20 membership) gives the African Union the same status as the European Union, which is part of the 19 other countries, with the developed or developing economies in the world,” she said.
Pandor vowed to continue to mobilise internationally in support of the people of Western Sahara who are struggling against illegal occupation, and we are working within the African Union to ensure that Africa’s last colony is liberated. Colombia
Colombia
Meanwhile, Colombia has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to allow the country to join South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide in the Gaza Strip, Jazeera reports.
In its application to the court today, Colombia called on the ICJ to ensure “the safety and, indeed, the very existence of the Palestinian people”.
“Colombia is deploying efforts directed at fighting the scourge of genocide and, as a result, making sure Palestinians enjoy their right to exist as a people,” the document said.
“Colombia’s ultimate goal in this endeavour is to ensure the urgent and fullest possible protection for Palestinians in Gaza, in particular such vulnerable populations as women, children, persons with disabilities and the elderly,” the Colombian declaration added.
