Ibrahim Gambari, former Under-Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Department of Political Affairs has advocated for a reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), including the democratization of its membership, during a public lecture commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Speaking at the event hosted by Covenant University (CU), Ota, Ogun State, Gambari emphasized the need to address the use or misuse of veto power by the five permanent member countries of the UNSC.
He called for the expansion of the council’s membership in both permanent and non-permanent categories to better reflect today’s economic, demographic, and political realities, with a specific focus on ensuring full representation for Africa.
”Currently, the UNSC’s five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—hold veto powers over critical issues, including UN sanctions, peacekeeping operations, and membership admissions,” he noted.
Gambari highlighted the recent example of the United States using its veto power to block Palestine’s admission into the UN as a member state.
Reflecting on the Rwandan genocide, Gambari reiterated the importance of African nations taking responsibility for resolving conflicts on the continent and developing their resources and mechanisms for effective engagement.
He noted the unintended consequence of the genocide, which prompted African governments to appreciate their responsibility to protect civilian populations beyond their borders.
The event also featured speeches from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who urged global solidarity against hatred and discrimination, and Christophe Bazivamo, the High Commissioner of the Rwandan High Commission in Nigeria, who emphasized the need to fight intolerance and ensure that the memory of the genocide victims inspires future generations to choose peace over hate.
On his part, Vice Chancellor of CU, Abiodun Adebayo highlighted the pivotal role of the UN in maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights, and upholding international law, stressing the importance of remembering past atrocities to prevent their recurrence.
Also speaking, Chancellor of CU, David Oyedepo charged African leaders to be vigilant against injustice to foster peace and stability in the region, echoing the sentiment of learning from history to avoid its repetition.
Newsng had reported that CU secured the top spot in the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Ranking for Nigerian institutions late last year.
The Times Higher Education World University Ranking is a globally recognized benchmark for assessing the quality and impact of higher education institutions.
The rankings serve as an essential reference for prospective students, educators, researchers, and policymakers in evaluating the strengths and capabilities of universities in Nigeria and worldwide.
