Kenyan politician Raila Odinga has made headlines for his strong advocacy for Africa's representation at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). During the Mjadala Afrika debate held at the African Union (AU) Headquarters on December 13, 2024, Odinga asserted his commitment to securing two permanent seats with veto powers for Africa if he is elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).
Odinga, alongside fellow candidates Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti and Richard Randriamandrato from Madagascar, emphasized the pressing need for reform within the UNSC. Odinga pointed out the blatant incongruity of the current council's composition, which was established when most African nations were still under colonial rule. He argued, “This is long overdue. The UN was formed at a time when most African countries were colonies and that's why it doesn't deal with the realities of today.”
With Africa comprising 55 sovereign nations and over 1.4 billion people, Odinga stressed the necessity for representation. “We cannot be excluded when Europe has three permanent representatives on the Security Council. Permanent representation with veto powers is a must for Africa, and this I am going to insist on when I am elected,” he declared with conviction.
Odinga's remarks resonate with growing calls from African leaders for reforms to the UNSC. At the recent UN General Assembly, Kenya's President William Ruto was equally frank, calling the current structure “dysfunctional, undemocratic, non-inclusive, unaccountable, autocratic, and opaque.” Ruto argued for urgent changes to reflect Africa's needs, saying, “An institution excluding 54 African countries, representing 1.4 billion people, is unacceptable.”
The need for empowerment extends beyond representation, as the candidates also highlighted the significance of regional security. Recent political instability and conflict across the continent have demonstrated the vulnerabilities facing African nations. Youssouf suggested increasing resources for a regional standby force, citing the reduction of dependency on foreign aid as pivotal. “When there is no unity of purpose among neighboring countries, peace will be compromised,” he stated, underscoring the importance of collaboration.
Randriamandrato echoed similar sentiments, urging African nations to prioritize internal security management and reduce reliance on foreign military bases, warning they could lead to conflicts. “These bases should be things of the past,” he cautioned, emphasizing the importance of African unity.
Aside from security reforms, economic challenges were also on the agenda during the debate. Odinga pointed out the inefficiencies of the current international financial system, which he claims disadvantages African nations. He stressed the need for alternative financing solutions to empower African economies, advocating for intra-African trade as well. “Africa is the richest continent in terms of resources but the poorest when it pertains to living conditions,” he remarked.
Addressing trade among nations, Youssouf proposed creating a compensation system for currency fluctuations to facilitate smoother exchanges. “Are we going to have a single currency, why not?” he asked, challenging the existing barriers to trade. Randriamandrato also highlighted the role of regional economic blocs, such as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, to ease inter-Africa trade and boost economic integration.
While the candidates have aligned their proposals around issues of security, trade, and representation, they also recognize the weight of the legacy and mission of the African Union. Odinga recalled the organization's origins as a liberation movement but stressed the need to evolve, stating, “The AU must be repurposed and re-engineered to address contemporary challenges.”
The election for the new AU Chairperson is set for February 2025, and all eyes will be on the candidates as they vie for the position. Their success will hinge on their ability to garner support from member states and advocate for meaningful reforms on the continental and global stage. Speaking to the importance of the upcoming election, Randriamandrato urged, “We must speak with one voice on who will represent Africa at the UNSC.”
The discussions at the debate showcase the urgent need for African leaders to come together and confront the challenges facing the continent. Whether it's securing permanent seats at the UNSC or enhancing regional security and economic interests, the candidates have recognized the intertwined nature of these issues and the importance of fostering unity.
