HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for urgent reform of the United Nations to level the playing field among member states.
Mnangagwa made the comments in a virtual address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday.
The United Nations, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, will be held in a different way this year as most leaders are attending the gathering virtually due to the global coronavirus pandemic limiting travel.
“There is no better way to achieve a peaceful and stable world than through mutual respect, genuine multilateralism backed by much-needed reform and respect for international law. Recommitment to these ideals will pave the way for the just world we all yearn for,” Mnangagwa said.
The Zimbabwean leader said he was concerned about the lack of reform of the Security Council, which has so far shut out the voice of Africa and was criticized by the late President Robert Mugabe when at the helm.
“More than 15 years have passed since the adoption of the Ezulwini Consensus, reaffirmed in the Sirte Declaration. It is deeply regrettable that the reform of the Security Council and the implementation of Africa’s position have not been achieved.
“We cannot continue with a situation where more than 16% of the world’s population has no voice in decision-making. This is a serious indictment of our stated commitment to multilateralism and fundamental principles of natural justice, fairness and justice,” Mnangagwa said.
