UN Security Council - The African Mirror

Feb

2024

US pushes for UN to support temporary Gaza ceasefire, oppose Rafah assault

THE United States has proposed a rival draft United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a temporary ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and opposing a major ground offensive by its ally Israel in Rafah, according to the text seen by Reuters. The move comes after the U.S. signalled it would veto on Tuesday an Algerian-drafted resolution — demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire — over concerns it could jeopardize talks between the U.S., Egypt, Israel and Qatar that seek to broker a pause in the war and the release of hostages held by Hamas. Until now, Washington has been averse to the word ceasefire in any U.N.…

Feb

2024

By MICHELLE NICHOLS

UN likely to vote Tuesday on Gaza ceasefire, US signals veto

WORLD

THE United Nations Security Council is likely to vote on Tuesday on an Algerian push for the 15-member body to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, said diplomats, a move the United States signalled it would veto. Algeria put forward an initial draft resolution more than two weeks ago. But U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield quickly said the text could jeopardize "sensitive negotiations" aimed at brokering a pause in the war. Algeria requested on Saturday that the council vote on Tuesday, diplomats said. A U.N. Security Council resolution needs at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the…

Feb

2024

By MICHELLE NICHOLS

Algeria pushes UN Security Council to demand Gaza ceasefire

NEWS

ALGERIA has drafted a U.N. Security Council resolution to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, a move that the United States - a council veto power - opposes because it says it would only benefit the Palestinian militants. The draft, seen by Reuters on Thursday, also "rejects the forced displacement of the Palestinian civilian population" and again demands all parties comply with international law and calls for full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access into and throughout the entire Gaza Strip. Algeria shared the draft with the 15-member council on Wednesday, diplomats said, after the body met to…

Sep

2023

By GABRIELA BACZYNSKA

‘Stop the war’ and Zelenskiy need not speak, UN Security Council chair tells Russia

WORLD

IT was to be Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy's first in-person appearance at a U.N. Security Council meeting on Moscow's invasion of his country when Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia objected to him taking the floor at the start of the meeting. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, serving as president of the tense session, responded with a gibe at Moscow, which has long said the invasion does not amount to a war but was a mere "special military operation". "I want to assure our Russian colleagues and everyone here that this is not a special operation by the Albanian presidency," Rama, known…

Jun

2023

By BIRD STORY AGENCY

From conflict to regional peacekeeping: The steady rise of Sierra Leone

NEWS

SIERRA Leone has made remarkable progress in overcoming a tumultuous past marked by conflict and has emerged as a leading force in promoting peace in the region. On June 6, the tiny West African country was, alongside Algeria, elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in a voting session of the UN General Assembly. Other countries elected included Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Belarus and Slovenia. Sierra Leone's seat will be taken up later this year. The election of Sierra Leone, whose candidacy was backed by the African Union, is significant as it represents the country's successful…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

US casts 45 vetoes, and counting, to protect Israel

WORLD

THALIF DEEN THE UN Security Council (UNSC), the most powerful political body at the United Nations, has largely remained silent or ineffective in resolving one of the longstanding military conflicts in the Middle East involving Israelis and Palestinians. But, at the same time, several attempts to condemn Israel for its excesses have been thwarted by successive US administrations, which have exercised the veto power in the Security Council to protect a client state whose survival has depended largely on billions of dollars in US economic and military aid, state-of-the-art weapons systems and outright military grants doled out gratis. Stephen Zunes,…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

Why good relations between the African Union and the United Nations Security Council are important

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

CYRIL RAMAPHOSA OVER the last decade, the UN and the AU have deepened their relationship with partnership agreements on peace and security, development and capacity building. The most advanced cooperation between the two organisations is on peace and security as provided for in Chapter 8 of the UN Charter, and reaffirmed in many outcomes of the Security Council on cooperation between the United Nations and regional arrangements. We are witnessing in Africa a continent that is taking responsibility for the complex challenges to its peace, security and development. It is working with the United Nations and other international partners in…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

South Africa set out its priorities as president of UN Security Council

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH Africa has assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and has set, at the core of its programme, enhancing peace and security efforts around the world and strengthening the UN and Africa. South Africa now occupies the unique position of simultaneously holding the presidency of the UN Security Council and the leadership of the African Union (AU). SA month-long presidency of the UNSC also marks the end of the country’s term as an elected member of the UNSC. These priorities were set out by Jerry Matjila, South Africa’s permanent representative to the United…

Sep

2020

By The African Mirror

South Africa calls for ceasefire and Libya-owned and led process

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH Africa has expressed its deep concern at the prevailing security situation in Libya, saying the continued military confrontations and escalations, particularly in and around Sirte in recent weeks is of grave concern. In a special message delivered to the UN Security Council, the country’s permanent representative, Ambassador Jerry Matjila said SA calls on the parties to cease all hostilities with immediate effect and heed the calls for a permanent and lasting ceasefire. Matjila said South Africa firmly believes the ceasefire will create an environment for inclusive dialogue to pave the way towards a Libyan-led, Libyan-owned political…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

US isolated in the UN Security Council

WORLD

MICHELLE NICHOLS THE United States has been further isolated over its bid to reimpose international sanctions on Iran with 13 countries on the 15-member U.N. Security Council expressing their opposition, arguing that Washington's move is void given it is using a process agreed under a nuclear deal that it quit two years ago. In the 24 hours since U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he triggered a 30-day countdown to a return of U.N. sanctions on Iran, including an arms embargo, long-time allies Britain, France, Germany and Belgium as well as China, Russia, Vietnam, Niger, Saint Vincent and the…