The theme of this year’s UN General Assembly seems quite ambitious: “Leaving no one behind: acting together to promote peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.”
Even UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres seemed unconvinced of such lofty goals, warning the assembled leaders that impunity, inequality and uncertainty were pushing modern civilisation towards “a powder keg that threatens to engulf the world”.
Secretary-General Guterres’ recent clarion call, highlighting the fact that the global situation is becoming unbearable and unsustainable, seemed to resonate with many African leaders in attendance, who used the opportunity to voice their views on hot spots in the world, particularly the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza.
South African President Ramaphosa compares war in Gaza to apartheid
Addressing the UN General Assembly, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the ongoing violence in Gaza, noting that more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed and critical infrastructure destroyed, and stressed that “we will not be silent” in the escalating conflict.
“It has been 11 months since the Hamas attack that left 1,200 people dead and hostages taken. As South Africans we condemn this attack,” Ramaphosa told parliament. “In response, Israel has launched an act of collective punishment by attacking the people of Gaza, whose suffering continues to this day.”
Israeli air strikes have reduced Gaza to rubble and destroyed key infrastructure such as schools and hospitals. Photo: DW/Arte/ZDF
President Ramaphosa also drew parallels between the situation of the Palestinians and South Africa’s own past experience, stressing that South Africans as a whole understand systemic oppression and the suffering it causes, due to the country’s decades-long history of apartheid.
The South African president drew parallels between the situation in the Middle East and that chapter in his country’s history: “We South Africans will not sit idly by while Israel continues its collective punishment of the Palestinian people, while apartheid is perpetrated against others in Gaza,” Ramaphosa told world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), without explaining why he was drawing the parallels.
“Last December, South Africa filed a petition at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) seeking an order to stop Israel from perpetrating genocide against the Gaza Strip’s population,” he added in his speech, underscoring South Africa’s eagerness to help end the conflict.
Angolan President João Lourenço called for an end to hostilities in the Middle East. Photo: Adrian Denis/AFP/AP/picture alliance
Angolan President João Lourenço took a similar stance, saying Israel has the right to defend its territory and guarantee the safety of its people, but it also has a responsibility to prevent a genocide in which “some 43,000 people were killed and the international community has not held the perpetrators to account.”
But in a post on X earlier this month, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Hayat categorically denied the genocide allegations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog have also categorically denied the allegations.
Calling for dialogue and peace
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio also commented on the major conflicts currently taking place in the world, stressing that his country’s hard-won peace was the result of genuine dialogue and vigilance within the country, as well as support from organisations such as the United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Bio called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine, saying “peace requires an inclusive political process, economic development and respect for human rights – these cannot be achieved in isolation.”
“For the millions of civilians caught in armed conflict, words of condemnation are not enough,” Bio added, calling on the international community to support African-led peace initiatives and for the United Nations to actively address the root causes of these conflicts.
Biden calls for end to global conflict in final UN speech
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Security Council Reform: An African Seat
Bio, whose country currently holds the UN Security Council presidency, also said that for nearly 80 years the council has “stuck against the grain of time and Africa remains the undisputed victim.”
Bio added that in its current form, the Security Council’s work and legitimacy is questionable and needs to be rectified, given historical injustices perpetrated against Africa. Bio has been pushing for reform of the UN body since August.
“The legacy of colonialism, economic exploitation and political marginalization has left deep scars on the continent, affecting its development, stability and influence in international affairs,” he told the assembled leaders, adding that equitable representation of the continent would enable the UN to build a more just world.
“Africa therefore demands at least two permanent seats, with all the rights and privileges of permanent membership, including veto power, and two non-permanent seats. Africa’s voice must be heard and its demands for justice and equity must be met now,” Bio concluded.
Kenyan President William Ruto echoed similar sentiments, saying “the historic injustice of Africa not having permanent representation on the UN Security Council must be addressed as a matter of justice in the ongoing reform of the United Nations.”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also highlighted the same issue, saying “Africa and its 1.4 billion people remain excluded from key decision-making structures at the United Nations,” and stressed the urgent need for reform.
“The Security Council must be urgently reformed and become a more inclusive body so that all voices are heard and taken into account,” President Ramaphosa added.
The UN Security Council currently consists of five permanent, veto-wielding members and 15 non-permanent members representing different regions of the world. Calls for Africa to have a permanent seat on the council have been growing for years, with most proposals calling for two seats for the African Union.
Editor: Celtan Sanderson
