UNSC Debate on ‘Cooperation between the UN and Regional and Sub-regional Organizations (African Union)’

[Tuesday, 11 October 2022]

Statement by Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj

Permanent Representative of India to the UN

Mr. President,

Let me begin by thanking Gabon for organizing today’s debate on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and sub-regional organizations of Africa, in particular the African Union. I also thank the UN Secretary-General; AU Commission Chairperson and the briefer for their valuable insights. 

2.    The cooperation between UN and regional organizations is a cardinal principle of maintenance of international peace and security, enshrined in chapter VIII of the UN Charter. The Charter also provides a broad framework for this Council’s cooperation with the regional organizations. This partnership assumes further significance in the context of Africa, when more than half of the issues in the agenda of the Council and nearly seventy percent of Chapter VII mandate resolutions pertain to Africa. Peace and security being an important pillar of AU’s Agenda 2063 has further strengthened this cooperation.

3.    No one can understand Africa better than our African brothers and sisters themselves. We have seen from history that offering "external” solutions to African problems without African involvement has not served the interests of the African people. Therefore, meaningful and effective engagement with African sub-regional organizations and mechanisms should constitute an integral component of the UN-AU cooperation. East African Community (EAC), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) among others have also bolstered the efforts of the African Union in preventive diplomacy and mediation efforts.

4.    India supports enhancement of cooperation between the UN and AU that could mutually benefit both the organizations in a meaningful way. In this context, let me flag the following issues for this Council’s consideration: 

i)    First, the activities of the United Nations, the African Union, and sub-regional organizations should complement each other, while keeping their respective core mandates intact. Collective efforts should be geared towards regional diplomacy, mediation, reconciliation, and security sector reforms for securing lasting peace in the continent.

ii)    Second, terrorist outfits, like armed groups, deserve priority attention of the Council in their response to addressing security threats confronting Africa today. In the Sahel and throughout the Lake Chad basin region, as well as in Somalia and beyond, African states face persistent threats of terrorism from groups affiliated with Al-Qaida and Da’esh. National and regional security forces are the prime responders to combat terrorism. The capacity constraints and lack of financial resources have become major impediments in the fight against terrorists. The initiatives such as ATMIS, G-5 Sahel Joint Force, South African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) and Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) need more encouragement from the international community. 

iii)    Third, the Security Council needs to work with the African Union’s Peace and Security Council to strengthen financing mechanisms for African Union-led peace support operations authorized by the Security Council. We endorse the call of the Secretary General to support African Union-led peace support operations and regional counter-terrorism operations with sustained financing, including through assessed contributions.

iv)    Fourth, peacebuilding initiatives in Africa deserve unwavering attention of the international community. Major donors, in particular developed countries and the international financial institutions, should ramp up their overseas development assistance commitments, and eliminate barriers to concessional financing to the economies of Africa so that they can achieve developmental goals enshrined in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063. 

v)    Fifth, UN Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions in Africa need to be appropriately mandated and resourced. Our experience in peacekeeping in Africa shows that such missions often struggle to implement ambitious, under-resourced mandates. Furthermore, peacekeeping missions should have a clear and well thought out exit strategy, prepared in consultations with national and regional stakeholders.

vi)  Sixth, this Council needs to move way beyond than mere lip service to Africa’s concerns. Africa’s continuing denial of representation in the permanent category of membership in this Council in an historical injustice that needs to be corrected sooner than later. India has consistently called for urgent UNSC reforms to ensure that Africa’s aspirations as outlined in Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration are honoured. 

Mr. President, 

5.    India and Africa share a unique, historical and time tested friendship. Since the 1960’s, Indian peacekeepers have served in 22 Missions in Africa so far. Currently, Indian peacekeepers are serving in 8 UN peacekeeping missions in the African continent. India has also contributed towards training and capacity building of peacekeepers from Africa.

6.     India believes that Africa’s rise is essential for true multipolarity in the global order and we are committed to that end. We have always worked with Africa as per Africa’s priorities-both through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms. Even as we meet our own development targets, this tradition of south-south solidarity continues to strengthen. For India, partnership with Africa is, and will remain a top priority. 

7.    In enunciating the Ten Guiding Principles in his Address to the Ugandan Parliament in 2018, Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi had said and I quote "if this is to be an age when the light of opportunity dawns on all humans; if this is a time when our planet has a more hopeful future; then all of this magnificent continent of Africa must walk in step with the rest of the world... India will stand in solidarity with Africa's endeavours, in transparency, with respect and on the principle of equality. We will speak for you, and with you."

I thank you Mr. President