African Group and The G4 are calling for broad cooperation regarding SC reform

Yesterday, on 7th May 2013 delegates of two different groups met at the Faculty of Social Sciences in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Geopolitical regional group of African states was represented by the delegates of Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa and Ethiopia. G4 group consisting of Germany, India, Brazil and Japan that was established with the sole purpose of achieving more permanent seats in the Security Council was represented by the delegates of Germany and India.

The main goal of the meeting was to compare the expectations and ambitions of both interest groups, as well as to discuss the possible common position regarding the Security Council reform. It looks like that delegates from both groups found many similar standpoints from where they will be able to cooperate. Moreover, in there common statement they expressed the clear intention to establish 'a common position that will be reflected in a working paper.'

In fact, they stated they are really satisfied 'with the quick development and achievement of strong common position.' At same time they are calling for 'broadest cooperation possible' regarding this topic and expect that other states will share their ideas and suggestions. They are open to discuss and cooperate to everyone who share the ideas of legitimacy, transparency and inclusiveness regarding Security Council reform.

However, in the common statement African Group and The G4 countries were also very clear about not tolerating any 'destructive suggestions or actions'. It looks like that both groups are willing to talk and cooperate with everyone that does not oppose to enlarging the number of permanent seats. According to events in the history we can assume that their common position will include the preposition of five new permanent Security Council members consisting of Brazil, Germany, India, Japan and African representative.

Luka Kavčič

Bellow you can read the whole common statement made by African Group and The G4:

The representatives of the African Group (Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Ethiopia) and the G-4 coalition (India, Germany) met today at 11 am at the Faculty of Social Sciences to establish a common position, that will be reflected in a working paper on the reform of the Security Council.

We are happy with the quick development and achievement of strong common position. We are open to suggestions of other states and call them to share their ideas and positions so that we can reach the broadest cooperation possible. However, we would like to emphasise that we will not tolerate destructive suggestions and actions that go against our common position and endanger the whole idea of inclusiveness, legitimacy and transparency of the reform of the Security Council. 

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Keys to effective solving of minority issue for Africa

For the last time, before the GA session on inter-ethnic issues involving minorities, we had a word with the three representative from African Continent, Ms Tonja Avsenik - the delegate of Ethiopia, Ms Tamara Čakič - the delegate of Egypt and Mr. Gorazd Mihelin - the delegate of Nigeria. 

States are aware of the fact that Africa is the continent with a very diverse population, as Mr Mihelin said: "Because of its colonial past, there are many more ethnic groups than states in Africa." In order to prevent that ethnic and religious minorities are drawn into the conflict Mr. Mihelin stated: "Successful prevention inter-ethnic conflicts consists of enabling anti-discrimination measures along with development." The representative of Egypt is of the opinion that conflict should be solved with dialogue as it is case in Egypt: "We have to implement democratic principles and start solving issues and conflicts with dialogue, based on mutual respect and equality. This is the solution and appropriate approach to tackling all the variety of issues. However, Egypt has to emphasize that we do not have issues involving minorities, since the people of Egypt are not divided into minority groups. Egyptians are a homogenous and united population, and we are all equal in terms of human rights, freedoms and duties."

Ms. Čakič also shared with us the idea on what can world lean from  Egypt in order to solve the issues regarding minorities as religious freedom and equality guaranteed by the state, which she confirmed with the following statement: "We ensure our people the rights and freedoms with our legislation and the new, by people confirmed Constitution, we do not have problems with guaranteeing the rights for all people, and not merely particular groups of people. With striving for achieving and strengthening national unity we, the people of Egypt, are united despite the cultural richness every one of us brings to our society. The recent Revolution also serves as a proof of our unity and of our determination to ensure respect of human dignity and social integration of Egyptian people and it also gave us a strong motivation to accelerate our national efforts to promote and respect human rights and fundamental freedoms as a priority, as well as to ensure security and stability of the entire Egyptian society."

According to Mr Mihelin Africa certainly still faces the colonial legacy, although the recovery can best be achieved by development of economy, a bright example is Nigeria, this way the colonial legacy will be dispelled. The following opinion was issued: "Due to complexity and region-specific nature of the issue it has to be tackled by applying regional understanding and solutions. African region is still struggling to manage this sad colonial legacy. Still there are few bright exemptions and one of them is Nigeria: We managed it by strongly embracing economic development as the main engine of recovery along with anti-discriminatory measures being implemented in the state system."

In the recent time there are certainly some religious conflicts erupting in the region (Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia). I asked the delegates how do they (their countries) manage to handle these conflicts?

 Ms Čakič rejected the notion that the conflicts are of religious nature:"We have to know that majority of conflicts and issues are result of polarisation that is caused by different political groups and serves their particular interests. Hence, nowadays conflicts are result of politics and not of religious diversity. We strongly believe that every issue, as stated, can be solved with a democratic approach, which includes respect for the opinions and believes of others. Egypt is currently in the new era of democracy, respect for all human rights, freedoms and dignity, and social justice, and our ultimate goal is to achieve progress in the welfare and standards of life of all Egyptians. Social and economic development. together with education are the key to promoting understanding between nations, cultures and beliefs and hence key in combating extremism and conflicts."

At this point Mr Mihelin mentioned the extremist group "Boko Haram" - jihadist militant organization based in north Nigeria that is responsible for at least 450 killings in Nigeria in 2011 and over 620 in first half of 2012. According to reports in the first few years of the organization activity over 10.000 was killed in Nigeria. Mr Mihelin explained: "The Boko Haram is a terrorist organisation. Any terrorist organisation, regardless of its religious identity, will be considered as a threat to peace and security in the country."

Ms. Tonja Avsenik made her standpoints in the live interview, which you can watch in the video below:

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Egypt distances itself from statements of Nigeria and Ethiopia

A few days ago we posted the video of Ethiopian and Nigerian representative sharing the African common position on the issue of forced migrations. The day after that we received official response of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the statements of representatives of Nigeria and Etiophia. Below you can read the complete text.

 

OFFICIAL RESPOND OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT TO THE STATEMENTS OF REPRESENTATIVES OF NIGERIA AND ETIOPHIA FOR THE UN HERALD

The Arab Republic of Egypt wants to respond to the statements on “common African position” on the topic of burden sharing and agenda item of forced migration, made by Representatives of Nigeria and Ethiopia for the UN Herald on 24 April 2013.

Egypt distances itself from the content of provided statements and the supposed “common African position” to which Egypt did not agree upon or gave its consent to.

Position of the Arab Republic of Egypt was presented in the interview, which followed the statements by Representatives of Nigeria and Ethiopia. In addition, our position was clearly presented at the past GA Session and in the adopted Resolution against forced migration.

- H.E. ms. Tamara Čakić, representative of the Arab Republic of Egypt

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Africa calls for international solidarity nad burden sharing

We have already heard the position of African states during their speeches, when we concluded that obviously the concept of burden sharing presents a common standpoint for them that they are determined to achieve. We recorded an additional common position with the representatives of Ethiopia, H.E. ms. Avsenik and Nigeria, H.E. mr. Mihelin.



They emphasized once more their support for international solidarity and burden sharing concept.
"At tomorrow's session we will also address the responsibility of developed countries towards developing concerning the issue of forced migrants," added H.E. ms. Avsenik. See more in the video below, in which you will also find an additional statement by the Nigerian representative, H.E. mr. Mihelin. He shared some information regarding Nigerian position on forced migrations and some insight into the Kampala convention (you can also read more about it in one of our previous background article). In the video you will also find an additional statement by the representative of Egypt. As Egypt is facing with a large number of migrants from Libya and Sudan, we asked the representative of Egypt, ms. Čakič for some more information. Regarding this topic, Egypt will encourage all the states to join them in the burden sharing regime.

Tamara Kajtazović

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African States working for a better tomorrow

As we have already reported seven African states, Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa Nigeria and Tunisia, met earlier this week to discuss the agenda of Session of the GA which will start in a few weeks. What was decided regarding the topics and what are African plans for future we will have the opportunity to find out on Tuesday, 16th April, since the delegates have decided to organize the press conference. Further on the same day they have also announced an event called AFRINOON, which is, according to delegate of South Africa, dedicated so that "delegates and other participants in the GA simulation could relax in positive African spirit" . The exact time of both events will be finalized in next days.

Short comment on what has happened on the meeting of African states was given today by delegate of South Africa Tamara Juričič, where the following statement was issued:

Representatives of African states in the GA 2013 met last Wednesday to discuss common positions. We are happy to announce that we share very similar views on some of the most controversial topics in the GA. Together, we will stand for better, prosperous and united Africa. We will promote values of mutual understanding, equitable world governance, human rights and peace. We are no longer willing to be subject to foreign domination and our voice in the GA will be heard this time. Differences between developed and developing countries should not be forgotten and developing countries and small islands should be supported in their development, strive for peace and security and promotion and implementation of human rights. At the same time we believe that different states with different views on world affairs have the capacity and capability to find some common interests and really bring some positive changes. After all, we all share the same humanity.

We are happy to notice that spring awakening is being felt by several states who are now beginning to jointly work on solutions. Therefore we would like to invite also other states to take the similar steps toward solutions.

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African coalition under construction

Representatives of the African countries met on the semi-formal meeting for the first time before negotiations in the UN. They might have been discussing possible coalitions regarding different issues such as minorities, forced migration and Security Council reform. What is know to the public, they have not reached the agreement yet.

Tamara Juričič, delegate of the Republic of South Africa, told us that ambitious proposals were raised during the meeting but states still need more time to realize the ideas. ''We haven't reached the decision, since we are planning another event,'' she concluded in a short statement. We will keep you posted about further developments in potential African coalition.

Luka Kavčič

***

This information is fictive and serves for the purposes of the UN simulation only.

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Is it time for Africa?

The most effective way to attain and maintain power and influence is to join with others who share your particular interest. Staring with neighbours and others in your community is the first rule of creating coalition, knowing that in such established groups it is high possibility that partners will be working on the same or similar issues. On the other hand, some partners can turn out to be a group that you have very little in common, but on one specific issue you can always find a common ground. Since we are just a few weeks from the formal start of the General Assembly negotiations it seems that some disempowered states are already developing their power base and thereby defending their interests.

Today, the 23rd March, South Africa announced that »It is time for Africa« and invited all the participating African states in this year's General Assembly to meet and discuss following topics: United nations Security Council Reform, Forced Migrations and Inter-ethnic Issues involving Minorities. Since we know that there is no African state being in Permanent Five of Security Council, it is possible to gather from what the honourable representative of Nigeria said this week, that Africa will strive for getting a permanent seat in United Nations Security Council. Nigeria is of the opinion that each continent should have it's representative in Big Five.

Below you can read the letter sent by honourable representative of South Africa to the following states: Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria and Tunisia.

»Honourable representatives of African states,

the General Assembly negotiations are about to start soon and South Africa sees a great potential in cooperation and common positions of African states. Therefore South Africa would like to invite you all to an informal meeting to discuss possible cooperation in the GA. See the details in the invitation enclosed. Please confirm your participation until Monday, 25 March. In case the date doesn't fit you, please reply and we can schedule the meeting with the help of Doodle. 

Best regards,

Tamara Juričić, Representative of South Africa«

According to information from invitation letter, the meeting will take place at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Kardeljeva ploščad 5, 1000 Ljubljana, at the cafe bar NetCafe, on Wednesday, 27 March 2013, at 2 pm.

Aleksandra Đurđević

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This information is fictive and serves for the purposes of the UN simulation only.

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