‘UN Security Council has to be reformed’… President Sarkozy

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has emphatically stated that the United Nations Security Council has to be reformed and that it is absolutely not right that Africa is not a permanent member of the Security Council. (Photo: President Nicolas Sarkozy delivering his opening speech during the Franco-Africa summit in Nice, France)

Sarkozy made these remarks, Monday 31^st May whilst delivering his speech to mark the official opening of the two-day Franco-Africa summit at the Palais de Congres main hall in the city of Nice, France.

“Today, we have to make things clear, and each one of us must lay our cards on the table. If we call ourselves friends of Africa, we have to be ready to give Africa a role in global governance. There can be no double speak, there can be no hypocrisy. We cannot say that we need to closely involve Africa in major issues affecting peace, security, and a balanced world, and then do nothing about it. The African continent should take its rightful place in bodies dealing with such issues, which is not the case today. We can no longer manage the 21^st century world with 20^th century institutions. It is a question of legitimacy and efficiency, the United Nations Security Council has to be reformed. And it is absolutely not right that Africa is not a permanent member of the Security Council”, President Sarkozy stated amidst deafening applause from the African leaders.

Group picture of participating African Heads of State and governments.

Sarkozy promised the African leaders that France will take the initiatives in this area when chairing the G8 and G20 meetings.

He furthered that stability is an essential prerequisite to development policy and that outside interventions on the African continent have nearly come to an end.

“France has taken this shift into account and acted accordingly through the reform of its military apparatus on the African continent”, Sarkozy disclosed.

The French leader spoke about the emerging new threats, including piracy, terrorism and drug trafficking, which he said are making the African states more vulnerable. He said though Africa had long been sidelined, but the continent holds the world’s future.

“Africa is now increasingly a vital player in the international arena. Africa’s demographic vitality and considerable resources make the world economy’s main source for growth for the decades to come. Our own future depends on the development of Africa, our common ability to ensure its development, through peace and stability. Absolutely none of the major problems facing our world today can be solved without the active involvement of Africa. And by this I mean that France and Europe need Africa as much as Africa needs France and Europe”, Sarkozy stated.

 Chernor Ojuku Sesay, Information Attache, Brussels/EU, Reporting from Palais de Congres main hall, Nice, France.

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