(GIN)—The present composition of the United Nations is a thorn in the side of some African leaders, who question why none of the five permanent members of the Security Council is a Black African.
The Security Council is a powerful decision-making body within the house of nations. It is charged with maintaining global peace, admitting members to the UN and approving changes to the organization’s charter.
It has 15 members, but only five are permanent and hold veto powers. They are Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Despite being the recipient of most declarations on peace and security, Africa can have only non-permanent members, who do not influence major decisions.
At its 26th ordinary session in Addis Ababa this week, the African Union is expected to take up the call for reform of the most powerful arm of the U.N.
A committee of 10, including Kenya, Algeria, Libya, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea and Congo, is resolved to put the issue as first item on the A.U. agenda.
“The Security Council does not reflect 21st century political and economic realities,” said Kenya’s Foreign Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed. “This underrepresentation is discriminatory, unfair and unjust.”
Kenya and Equatorial Guinea were the main lobbyists for the “Africa Common Position” in 2005, which said, in part, “Africa’s goal is to be fully represented in all the decision-making organs of the U.N., particularly in the Security Council. Full representation of Africa in the Security Council means not less than two permanent seats, with all the prerogatives and privileges of permanent membership, including the right of veto, and five non-permanent seats.”
As for women’s rights, also on A.U.’s agenda, two issues are making headlines.
Zimbabwe’s highest court this month outlawed child marriage, ruling on an application by two former child brides.
“I’ve faced so many challenges,” said Ruvimbo Tsopodzi, one of the applicants, in a press interview, the mother of one, who was married at 15. “My husband beat me. I wanted to stay in school, but he refused. It was very, very terrible.”
Until the ruling, the country’s Marriage Act set the minimum age at 16 for girls and 18 for boys. The Customary Marriage Act sets no minimum age.
The lawyer for the two women, Tendai Biti, called the ruling “historic and revolutionary.” “It’s a great day for women,” she said. However, celebrations would not last long, because there are no penalties for those who ignore the court’s ruling.
Also in the news, South African Mayor Dudu Mazibuko of the Uthukela District in eastern KwaZulu-Natal Province, is facing questions over her decision to award 16 scholarships to young women who are virgins and remain so while at college. Winners of the Maiden’s Bursary Awards must take regular virginity tests to keep their funding.
The government-backed Commission for Gender Equality criticized the mayor’s initiative, saying her intentions were great, but “we don’t support giving scholarships for virginity.” “There is an issue around discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, virginity and even against boys,” said Mfanozelwe Shozi. “This is going too far.”