SA slams UN exclusion

Inclusion shunned because it'll diminish global north’s powers, says expert.

- Eric Naki

President Cyril Ramaphosa has once more raised Africa's concern about its exclusion from the United Nations Security Council (SC).

One expert, however, said Africa was being used by China and Russia to call for reforms in their power contest with the West... but suggested that the continent should rather use Beijing and Moscow to gain membership.

In an address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said 78 years since its formation, the SC structure remained unchanged and Africa and its 1.4 billion people - remained excluded from its key decision-making structures.

"The Security Council has not fulfilled its mandate to maintain international peace and security.

The UN Security Council must be reformed as a matter of urgency - it must become more incluIsive so that the voices of all nations are heard and considered.

"Africa stands ready to play its part in building a safer global order," he said.