UN General Assembly
2009

The fact that Africa, a major geographical region, remains underrepresented and without a permanent seat on the Security Council is not only a serious and antiquated anomaly whose time for address is overdue. It is also clearly an untenable violation of the principle and practice of democracy in international relations. The reform of the Security Council should urgently take full notice of the African position, which demands two permanent seats, with complete veto power — as long as the veto lasts — plus two additional non-permanent seats. The United Nations Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development, held in June 2009, rightfully positioned the Organization at the centre of efforts to deal with the global financial and economic crisis. The devastating effect of the current global crisis has clearly exposed the folly of leaving the management of the global economy in the hands of a few self-appointed countries and groupings. My delegation, therefore, fully supports the setting up of a follow-up working group under the