The general debate of the 79th session of the UN, held in September, was a platform for African countries to once again express their positions on local and international issues. This event was special for the continent, as it was chaired by Cameroonian Philémon Yang, who became the fifth African to hold the presidency of the UN General Assembly. He was preceded by the Ghanaian Alex Quaison-Sackey (64-65), the Tanzanian Salim Ahmed Salim (79-80), the Ivorian Amara Essy (94-95) and the Gabonese Jean Ping (2004-2005). His election, on June 6, represents continuity in African leadership at the UN. The 54 countries of the continent were represented by presidents, heads of transitional governments, permanent representatives or ministers of foreign affairs, who shared their concerns and hopes for the future.
Although in their speeches they addressed issues related to their countries, all expressed their firm belief in the UN mission, recognizing its efforts in promoting peace and international cooperation. However, they echoed criticism of the current world order and highlighted the limitations of the global body to lead a geopolitically complex world. Among the recurring themes were climate change, armed conflicts and global inequality. A key point in his interventions was the demand for a more equitable international system, denouncing the double standards in international relations and calling for a more just and sustainable approach to addressing global crises, which necessarily involves a reform of the Security Council.
The African representatives highlighted the existence of two continental blocks, with the Sahara as the main fracture line. Northern countries looked more towards the Middle East and expressed concern about the situation in Palestine, an issue largely ignored by their sub-Saharan counterparts. Regarding the migration issue, North Africans, implicitly pointing to their southern neighbors as countries of origin of migrants and omitting their role in this dynamic, presented themselves as mere transit points towards Europe and advocated for more containment measures.
The most notable African intervention was that of Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa. The president defended his country’s decision to take Israel to international courts for genocide in Gaza, for which he alluded to the South African fight against apartheid as a moral obligation that forces his country to act on issues of global justice. In addition, he criticized the US proposal to offer two permanent seats to Africa, without the right to veto, on the Security Council.
Although it does not speak with a single voice, Africa demands to be heard. It does not want to be seen only as a region that requires help, but as another source of solutions and initiatives. Its representatives made it clear that the construction of a future based on peace, sustainable development and human dignity depends on joint and inclusive action that involves all international actors.
In the image above, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the speakers’ gallery during the 79th session of the UN, which took place last September in New York. Photography: Angela Weiss/Getty
