Statement by Minister Ronald Lamola at the United Nations Security Council High-Level Open Debate under the Agenda Item, Maintenance of International Peace and Security, Leadership for Peace: United in respect of the UN Charter, in search of a Secure Future. 25 September 2024
We thank Dr Robert Golob, Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, for convening this debate. We also wish to extend our gratitude to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the briefers, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Member of The Elders and Former President of Liberia.
Mr President,
South Africa has just emerged from its Sixth General Elections where no one political party could form a government alone. The ANC which had the majority but could not form a government alone initiated engagements with all parties and ended up forming a government with 10 parties in the interest of all South Africans.
This averted a stalemate and created a stable environment for the South African Government to focus on the pressing challenges of unemployment, inequality and unemployment.
We believe this is a model for democracy across the globe.
In his address to the General Assembly yesterday, the Secretary-General stated, “wars rage with no clue how they will end”.
There are several conflicts that plague the world today with civilians being killed on a daily basis. Why are we not able to do anything about it? Why is it that this body, the Security Council, dedicated to the pursuance of peace unable to effectively contribute to the ending of conflict.
Is it because of unwillingness on the part of its members? Or is it because of the Council being unable to act because of its structural deficiencies in the face of contemporary challenges?
Mr President, it appears to be both.
In his New Agenda for Peace document, the Secretary-General notes that the national security doctrines of many states emphasise growing geostrategic competition and military budgets are increasing illustrating more distrust and less unity. A steady erosion of trust and competition between states is weakening the ability of the international community to work together to address shared challenges.
The selective application of international law, the hypocrisy as well as the double standards displayed by some member states has resulted in the unfortunate situation of prolonged conflicts and suffering of civilians.
By the action or inaction on the part of the Security Council, there is an impression that some people should warrant more protection than others and that lives in some parts of the world are worth more than others. The people of Sudan are left destitute by our inaction. The situation in Sudan does not enjoy the glare of international media or the attention of humanitarian relief agencies. To them the United Nations system is for others not their protection.
The horrific events of the ongoing war on the people of Palestine that has now escalated into Lebanon have resulted in thousands of casualties. This utter disregard and violation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law is clear. It’s becoming increasingly easier to fund wars instead of development.
The Security Council has failed to meaningfully act, and it has become evident that parties to conflict would continue to disregard their international moral and legal obligations for as long as the Security Council does not enforce the decisions it takes.
For this debate today to be beneficial, we must reaffirm our commitment to seeking an end to conflict through peaceful means, in line with the UN Charter and international law. The Security Council should be prohibiting the use of force and not regulating its use as part of furthering the interests of those that seek war as a means to advance their interests.
Mr President,
The inability of the Council to act because of its current archaic structure is glaringly obvious. For the Security Council to be effective and relevant, it must be reformed to reflect global realities. Appropriate representation in both categories of membership by all regions of the world is necessary to transform this body into one that is able to respond effectively to bring about peace in terms of its Charter mandate.
Mr President,
Through the African Peace Initiative and participating in other platforms aimed at peace, South Africa continues to play its part in efforts to find a sustainable solution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. South Africa remains engaged in efforts to find lasting solutions to the myriad conflicts on the African continent. We are involved in diplomatic efforts in Ethiopia, the Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We have also deployed our troops to the frontline as part of peace support operations in Mozambique and the DRC. In this context, we welcome the support from the UN in peacekeeping in Africa and call for even greater cooperation between the UN and the African Union on peace, development and other progress-defining initiatives. On Palestine, we have resorted to international legal mechanisms, including at the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court to ensure that there is accountability for violations of international law.
Mr President,
This pertinent open debate presents us with a reflection moment on the serious ramifications of the inability or lack of willingness of the Security Council act in respect of the Charter when required to do so. We reiterate that the culture of impunity and disregard of international law by powerful states and those that they support politically, militarily, and financially, have often undermined the Council. Let us commit to take meaningful actions to address these challenges by implementing the pact of the future which calls for the reform of the security council that is representative and take into account changing conditions in the world.
I thank you for your attention.
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
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