Times Of Swaziland: UN’S GUTERRES TO MAKE EZULWINI CONSENSUS HAPPEN

UN’S GUTERRES TO MAKE EZULWINI CONSENSUS HAPPEN
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King’s Office Correspondents on 16/02/2025 09:10:00


ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA –United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has
assured African leaders that he will do everything within his power to ensure
that the 2005 Ezulwini Consensus becomes a reality. The UN Secretary General was
speaking at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and
Government held at the iconic Mandela Hall at the Ethiopian capital, Addis
Ababa.
The Ezulwini Consensus became the common African position on the United Nations
Security Council reform, which was adopted by all AU member States calling for
the allocation of two seats in the permanent category with all its prerogatives
and privileges including the veto power and two additional seats in
non-permanent category of the council. Guterres said it remains a shame that the
world continues to be unequal and the African continent’s call for the UNSC
reforms continues to be ignored.
“I will do everything within my power while still serving as the Secretary
General of the UN to ensure that the reforms happen and that Africa has two
permanent seats with veto powers,” he said. Currently, there are five
permanent members of the UN Security Council and are the United States of
America, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom. The SG said the conflicts
in Sudan, the brutal violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somali and
the Sahel region undermines peace and stability of the continent. He said the
ongoing wars in these countries must stop immediately and dialogue must be
prioritised, since there would be no military solution.
War
The UN SG further expressed concern with the war between Isreal and Palestine in
Gaza, in the West Bank, classifying it as genocide. He said peace must be
restored in Gaza beyond just the ongoing ceasefire agreement. He praised the
role played by outgoing African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat
for his commitment to the spirit of multiralism and fighting for the continent
to be heard and recognised in global platforms. The said Africa is booming with
potential given its youthful population and the benefits to be brought about the
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He decried though the unfairness of the developed countries who make African
countries to pay 20 times more the cost of lending. “I promise to stand with
Africa in re-writing the historical wrongs. African minerals must benefit
Africa. “We continue to make calls for the full implementation of the Paris
Agreement when it comes to climate change. We expect climate finance to flow to
the African continent because they are not responsible for the damage they
currently suffer,” he said. In closing, Guterres urged Africa to make good use
of Artificial Intelligence (AI), saying when used correctly, has the potential
to transform it quicker.
He congratulated the incoming Chairman of the African Union, Angola’s
President Joao Laurenco and wished him luck. President Jose takes over from
Mauritania’s Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. Other speakers at the opening of the
Assembly were Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the outgoing AUC Chairperson
Faki Mohamat, Palestine’s leader Mahmoud Abbas, Barbados Prime Minister Mia
Mottley and President of Ghana John Mahama to mention just a few. His Majesty
King Mswati III was to make his interventions later during the course of the
meeting.