Russia’s war in Ukraine revives calls for Security Council expansion

by ElectTheCouncil | 4 Oct 2022 | Legitimise the UNSC, Non-permanent UNSC members, Permanent 5, United Nations Security Council, UNSC Reform

Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine has revived the perennial debate about the need to reform the United Nations (UN) Security Council, including permanent representation for Africa. But has the conflict also increased the likelihood of change? The council was...

Zelensky’s adapt or die message should spur Security Council reform

by ElectTheCouncil | 14 Apr 2022 | Non-permanent UNSC members, Permanent 5, United Nations Security Council

When Ukraine’s bold President Volodymyr Zelensky told the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to question its own purpose, he put the spotlight on a thorny geopolitical issue that stands in the way of international peace and security. The UN has been impotent over...

Does Russia influence Africa on the UN Security Council?

by ElectTheCouncil | 8 Nov 2021 | Non-permanent UNSC members, Permanent 5, United Nations Security Council

Over the past two decades, Russia has aimed to re-establish itself as a world power. A key way to achieve this has been through its permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). In recent years, Russia’s posturing on several international...

South Africa’s UN Security Council term has ended – now what?

by ElectTheCouncil | 23 Feb 2021 | Non-permanent UNSC members, Permanent 5, United Nations Security Council

In December 2020, South Africa ended its two-year term as an elected member on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) – the country’s third such term. Serving on the world’s primary security institution gave South Africa experience to guide future multilateral...

SA passes Kenya the baton in the Security Council relay

by ElectTheCouncil | 22 Jun 2020 | Non-permanent UNSC members, Permanent 5, United Nations Security Council

In January 2021, Kenya will replace South Africa as one of the three elected African members (A3) on the United Nations Security Council, joining Niger and Tunisia. Kenya was elected for the 2021-22 term, together with India, Ireland, Mexico and Norway. Member states...

South Africa’s COVID-19 responsibility on the UN Security Council

by ElectTheCouncil | 16 Apr 2020 | Non-permanent UNSC members, Permanent 5, United Nations Security Council

As nations across the world grapple with the COVID-19 crisis, the dire state of multilateralism has once again come into focus. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) hasn’t been spared, and has come under increasing criticism for its muted response to a pandemic...