Why is the US offering Africa seats on the UN Security Council? | The Bottom Line

The US push to create seats for Africa on the UN Security Council - without veto power - is “an insult to 1.4 billion Africans,” argues the former African Union ambassador to the US, Arikana Chihombori-Quao.
Since the creation of the UN in 1945, the Permanent Five (China, Russia, France, UK and US) have retained the right to block any Security Council resolution. Other countries have been allowed to join the Council, but only temporarily, and with no veto.
Chihombori tells host Steve Clemons it's tantamount to “inviting Africa to the table and then asking them to remain mute.”
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#unitednations #securitycouncil #africa #unitedstates #aljazeeraenglish #aljazeera #politics

[@malungisamaseko3155]

What is the veto power for. It renders the UN useless. You vote and one person just puts a stop to everything 😂😂😂😂

[@MansMan42069]

When the power of 1 "No" is stronger than many other "Yes"s.

[@Aan_allein]

who is going to implement UNSC votes?

[@katarinakrasinsk6520]

The real reality of power is brute force fear and violence

[@katarinakrasinsk6520]

Only with force one country or people is forced to obey decisions

[@Djursnerable]

Veto powers exist because no superpower will accept world opinion or a majority forcing its decisions on it. The UNSC offers a balance between the greatest powers, where none can control the outcome. We did have that system that you wish for, it was called the League of Nations. You should read about it. It resulted in WW2.

[@DidiMoraes-ux8bk]

Security council should be abolished..

[@rubybarker791]

@@DidiMoraes-ux8bk absolutely 👍 the security council makes the UN useless it’s time for it to go

[@abdulkader8464]

UN security Council veto power should be demolished

[@Djursnerable]

Veto powers exist because no superpower will accept world opinion or a majority forcing its decisions on it. The UNSC offers a balance between the greatest powers, where none can control the outcome. We did have that system that you wish for, it was called the League of Nations. You should read about it. It resulted in WW2.

[@ruhtraeregel]

Vetoed.

[@mehmano9045]

The veto power needs to go for every seat. Giving the veto to all will result in zero action. Period

[@Djursnerable]

Veto powers exist because no superpower will accept world opinion or a majority forcing its decisions on it. The UNSC offers a balance between the greatest powers, where none can control the outcome. We did have that system that you wish for, it was called the League of Nations. You should read about it. It resulted in WW2.

[@yasserfbaksh]

Who is the US to offer seats on the UN security council ? Why can the US make these decisions?

[@Djursnerable]

you are a bot

[@londondave800]

​@@Djursnerable🤡

[@IlyasUmar-h2n]

Absolutely right ✅️

[@ChrisAlbertH47]

Just get rid of the veto rights. It's the height of hypocrisy to talk about democracy as if it's supposed to be something to aspire to, but the largest multinational organization in the world isn't allowed to be democratic.

[@alaiwoldeamlak1336]

Western bullshit at its finest!!! The west simply has an illusion of democracy.

[@Djursnerable]

Veto powers exist because no superpower will accept world opinion or a majority forcing its decisions on it. The UNSC offers a balance between the greatest powers, where none can control the outcome. We did have that system that you wish for, it was called the League of Nations. You should read about it. It resulted in WW2.

[@pv5183]

She's speaking the truth. Bless her!!!! 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@AnilSingh-kb8vn]

Yes, she speaks well and is very educated.

[@John-ol5vk]

AFRICA BE SMART!!! DO NOT TAKE IT!!! REJECT IT AND TELL THEM WHERE THEY CAN PUT IT!!!!

[@rw2382]

Africa should walk away from the UN.

[@ndnghia2010]

Veto power should be abolished and a new decision making process put in place. World matters can not be decided just by only 5 countries who most of the time catter solely to their own interest.

[@agnikollias6678]

💯

[@Djursnerable]

Veto powers exist because no superpower will accept world opinion or a majority forcing its decisions on it. The UNSC offers a balance between the greatest powers, where none can control the outcome. We did have that system that you wish for, it was called the League of Nations. You should read about it. It resulted in WW2.

[@johncoughlan9578]

This lady is absolutely exceptional…..such a pleasure to listen to her

[@agnikollias6678]

AGREE 👍

[@sanusiebarrie7225]

Yes she is one of my fav in this world

[@adeelshah3390]

@@johncoughlan9578 true

[@dexndi5909]

None of this makes sense

[@Emily54670]

Without veto?!!! This is ridiculous! If Africa has no veto power then the veto should be revoked for every country that has it.

[@Djursnerable]

We did have that system, it was called the League of Nations. You should read about it. Superpowers will not accept being controlled by world opinion. That is how we had World War 2.

[@Tejaye777]

No country should have veto power. That is what casues dysfunction not extending the amount of countries who have it. The fact that it exist in it's self is the problem.

[@agnikollias6678]

Or.......every country should have Vito power !!!!!

[@Tejaye777]

​@@agnikollias6678 That means any country could overide the will of the majority. There should be no "Security Council" only the "General Council" and every country should only have one vote and no veto.

[@Djursnerable]

We did have that system, it was called the League of Nations. You should read about it. Superpowers will not accept being controlled by world opinion.

[@user-vs9cq2zo2t]

A seat in the UNSC but no veto power? That is so Colonialist!

[@Djursnerable]

Veto powers exist because no superpower will accept world opinion or a majority forcing its decisions on it. The UNSC offers a balance between the greatest powers, where none can control the outcome. We did have that system that you wish for, it was called the League of Nations. You should read about it. It resulted in WW2.

[@mariela7521]

Yeah is insulting 👌

[@Make_America_Native_Again_111]

The Veto is undemocratic

[@Djursnerable]

That is the purpose of it. Superpowers do not care about what is democratic, they care about their interests. What it gives is balance and 0 world wars since 1945. It works.

[@aus-wte6639]

If democracy works why shouldn't every country has the same power in the UN? And consider the majority win

[@alldayeveryJA]

There's only 3 of 5 that are democracies that have veto power

[@Djursnerable]

We did have that system, it was called the League of Nations. You should read about it. Superpowers will not accept being controlled by world opinion.

[@aus-wte6639]

@@Djursnerable Thanks for clarification.

[@imraandesai1935]

Free Palestine give back the land

[@Jorn-sy6ho]

Hear, hear! ❤❤❤

[@malungisamaseko3155]

Africa should get veto power

[@alldayeveryJA]

Give me a good reason that Africa should have veto power over the other 192 countries that don't also have Veto power

[@azizahsattar444]

Because it is being controlled Europeans only..Why shouldn't Africa represent Africans as well

[@MohNaz-ly6yx]

oh but you support u.s to have veto​@@alldayeveryJA

[@mfundomkhonta7500]

​@alldayeveryJA Africa is a continent not a country

[@RabbiNyirenda-g8g]

Africa is a continent

[@johnmbanda3822]

We must protect this lady at all costs. She’s a vessel for all of Africa’s future political ambitions🙌🏾

[@Thegabub]

Africa needs to have a backbone, I agree with her. Boycott the UN!

[@sbvc1940]

@@ThegabubI agree, if they don’t get veto power, they should all boycott the UN.

[@mamoeddejager6854]

The US ambassador does not see Africa must not see her as a human they are inhumane

[@mungwanmumbad8254]

The veto power should be abolished

[@Djursnerable]

Veto powers exist because no superpower will accept world opinion or a majority forcing its decisions on it. The UNSC offers a balance between the greatest powers, where none can control the outcome. We did have that system that you wish for, it was called the League of Nations. You should read about it. It resulted in WW2.

[@monahaque1660]

Well said!

[@Capricorn964]

Meaningless without the veto power

[@osmanabdi3185]

Thank you mama

[@Farhiyoyusuf-c7g]

African must to get veto power ...

[@waqtilumis4094]

Which country 🤔 because Africa is not a country 54 who is getting the permanent seat and are we the same page. Every country is threat to his neighbour. We are still severing the the territory they lined and separated people from their people.

[@mariela7521]

Shame of Us 🤔

[@Djursnerable]

China will never allow it either.

[@Capricorn964]

Disband UN. Nations should get together and form a new organization where all countries have equal vote. No veto power to any country!!

[@marcmccook9154]

A terrific analysis which sparkles with truth

[@jamessmithers4456]

Steve Clemons is the best!!

[@hokroeger]

What, or who gave the US the right to offer seats? Does the US own the Security Council?

[@Djursnerable]

Any member of the UNSC can make the suggestion, but all of them must agree to it.

[@corneliusstephen7756]

THIS IS A BIG BLUFF

[@harryloo8544]

US dangles this carrot to bargain only, US can tell UK to veto it anytime.

[@vaclavkubicek2970]

Strongly and logically argued, of course. Thank you Ms. Arikana.

[@hawsame8859]

Veto power has been abused greatly for the wrong reasons, so should be abolished. Instead a majority vote should be replaced.

[@ngqongqozamasibi9939]

It's shameful to take such pride on America.

[@ambessaseway5594]

India has more people than all of Africa with no permanent seat but France has? Why??

[@agnikollias6678]

Exactly...????

[@siphofunnykhosa9871]

Africa is a continent not a country my friend

[@siphofunnykhosa9871]

An again Africa have more people than India

[@ambessaseway5594]

@siphofunnykhosa9871 can't you read? "All of Africa" that means all countries combined

[@siphofunnykhosa9871]

@@ambessaseway5594 how many people does India have and how many people does Africa have?

[@eastafrica1020]

And that is why Africa will get nothing. Rather take steps and progress.

[@marym-w2e]

Why does africa even want to join this organization in the first place?

[@ambessaseway5594]

Because next time they want to use a UN Mandat for regime change it can be vetoed

[@adammahommed7584]

The UN has outlived it's usefulness

[@adammahommed7584]

She must not be termed African American with her comments

[@adammahommed7584]

Brilliant analysis

[@adammahommed7584]

The US wants to change one puppet for another

[@carlduplessis31]

Why should there be a security council , why should any of the security council members have a veto ? Enlarging the security council with or without a veto is a red herring .

[@AlhasanBah]

A country has no right to offer Africa a seat at the UNSC. Africa must have a seat or boycott the entire monopoly organisation

[@bloodcircle3885]

Which an insult to Africa as a whole!

[@Mary-Louise-mk8qw]

Gosh Madame you are a credit to Africa

[@wearebecomedeathstar2658]

I would like to call for the expansion of the Permanent Security Council members to 11. I call for Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil, India, Japan, and Turkiye to be given the newly created seats. I call for the power of veto to be limited in such a way that it requires any 4 members of the permanent council to agree for a veto to come into effect.

[@Djursnerable]

The current members will refuse it. It will upset the balance. You can perhaps get them to agree expanding it but with balance in mind, so a pro-China/Russia country for a pro-Western country.

[@RobertLund-d7d]

Africa is not a country . This makes no sense.

[@voicesrilanka1356]

Africa should elect a strong representative who doesn't bow down to the WEST

[@adammahommed7584]

Note how the US sends a Black woman to offer Africa bull

[@bubakay8956]

That's how they operate when they want to do dirty to an African, they often use another African against us...

[@wanderingquestions7501]

Coercion. It doesn’t matter if 100 countries are on the Council as long as the USA can veto anything it wants. A completely empty show of politics

[@chewy1709]

I have a question too. Is it still considered terrorism if a car bomb goes off next to a trendy Tel Avi cafe?

[@kondjelanashipili]

If Africa get veto power there will be peace and prosperity. Fearness is in Africa without Africa there will be no fairness on this planet.

[@Djursnerable]

Africa is corrupt and a fractured continent. They will never have agreement on who should have the power, and no current veto holder would trust an African country.

[@RJMTacoma]

This ex-Ambassador lost my praise for her immediately when she referred to the black US Ambassador to the UN as her “sister.” Who’s the racist now?

[@charlesouma5357]

The US did not propose. Africa proposed and the US supported.

[@BobHill-s2c]

Disband UNSC. All nations should be talking about security. Or, make it rotating - no permanent members.

[@ericfranklin1802]

The biggest issue here is that I imagine that the USA is just trying to be able to negotiate African countries they can push around to vote/veto how they want. For instance I don’t think for even a second that the US would nominate South Africa for one of those seats but Kenya, who they’ve coaxed in helping them crack down on Haiti, I imagine they’d be willing to nominate them.

[@lunalunera5ty1t]

We a new world-nation organization. 1. It has a rotating permanency of at least 5 years in a country. 2. It rotates based on regions of the world. 3. If there's 90% of agreement in a resolution, it has to be approved. 4. It needs an organism that investigates any claim brought to the World Council. 5. Each representative of a nation, cannot be more than five years representing that nation to avoid creating influences and favoritism. 6. All nations have the same voting rights. No more special councils, no more security commision etc. 7. A member who is creating favoritism, blackmailing, lobbying, bribing etc. will be immediately fired and the nation involved will have to send a new non-corruptible person. If the nation persists, then the nation will be sanctioned with no participation for at least one year.

[@Djursnerable]

Your ideas are as great as communism. Good in theory but bad in practice. Countries will always subvert it. Humans are selfish and will always be that way.

[@LovelyDove-ve3wo]

Exactly, I agree former African UN Embassydor. Yes Ma'am

[@princepcmj]

Africa must vote

[@tremaynewilson6666]

A new icj , new global laws , and territories, new stock market, new currency

[@D-E-S_8559]

That is a darn good question-China Taipei once occupied the UNSC permanent seat. In the period it occupied that seat, it was a puppet of the west, and voted always in line with the west, until it was usurped in the 1970's. In the last UNGA vote-it was noted that a belt of Central and East African nations absteined. In essence they voted for the occupation of Palestine. Such debt riddled evangelical everything for sale, including their mothers nations are the ones that are been promoted for a UNSC seat-debt, insolvency and power are corrupt bed fellows in the sordid puppetry bedroom...

[@MohammedVBayour]

Africans, we need to be very patient for such opportunities for two permanent seats. Because, the geopolitics that is playing globally will makes Africans favored China and Russia, which is glaring. Automatically, there will be a new world order. Where Africans discourtesy will be to US, France and UK because of colonial rule in decades on Africans. Wherein, Africans will wants a payback. Instead of us being peaceful and united for all for the good of mankind. In reality, this going to be a long journey for veto power for Africa.

[@cuadernonaranjo]

End the veto power

[@MomoSarjoo-gs5zk]

She always talk truth, let our African leaders wake up, don't let these people to use or fool our identity and value, period!

[@MariamWilmore]

And because misuse of VETO power the best other option is remove the VETO power 1 country 1 vote.

[@Djursnerable]

Veto powers exist because no superpower will accept world opinion or a majority forcing its decisions on it. The UNSC offers a balance between the greatest powers, where none can control the outcome. We did have that system that you wish for, it was called the League of Nations. You should read about it. It resulted in WW2.

[@ApoloKabali]

Africa should exit the UN.

[@user-vs9cq2zo2t]

If the US really feels that way then let Africa have its two seats plus veto power, and you, the US, give up your veto power!👎 Hypocrite.👎

[@ngqongqozamasibi9939]

What effort.

[@voicesrilanka1356]

Africa should introduce one Currency

[@waqtilumis4094]

Africa is not a country it's a continent. 54 nations who will be in those two seats.

[@MusehanaH]

They'll probably be decided through a vote. I do like the idea of rotating the seat but with full veto power.

[@Reza-nz2re]

Remove veto and follow the majority vote. This is democracy

[@user-vs9cq2zo2t]

IT'S CALLED IMPERIALISM!

[@sammlamlijacobs1691]

They can keep their seats, no thanks😂 ... BRICS ❤

[@fuckbankers]

Greenfield has forgotten her roots.

[@edwinmhondera4353]

This organization needs radical change. The old powers trying to cling onto power in a world whose power dynamics have shifted.

[@cristinakasselas555]

The answer : not everyone is equal ! or considered equal !

[@kathreenpoulos3341]

No veto power for all if they do not abolish the veto then yes Africa must have veto power.

[@elroyperry7349]

This United Nations body is a waste of human energy

[@monahaque1660]

What security council? The one for the chosen few?

[@hamynas]

veto power is nonsence

[@Djursnerable]

Veto powers exist because no superpower will accept world opinion or a majority forcing its decisions on it. The UNSC offers a balance between the greatest powers, where none can control the outcome. We did have that system that you wish for, it was called the League of Nations. You should read about it. It resulted in WW2.

[@tremaynewilson6666]

Who could say no?

[@politricksasusual]

Africa is waking up no longer are they settling for scraps. So proud to see my black family standing up. Well spoken mother Africa.

[@staspastukov5944]

I'm fantasizing. All non-permanent members of the UN Security Council are elected for a year by a general vote, in which each country proposes 7 candidate countries or only itself. The first 7 countries to receive the most votes win. If two or twenty countries take 4th place at the same time, they all join the council. Being on the Council without a veto right is not very logical, or rather, the point of such an algorithm is not clear at all.

[@GamachuBeyena]

Qoute, "Africa needs to stands on solid grounds have a strong back bones, spoken out for causes " Arikana Chihombori the former African Unions Ambassador in the USA.

[@evazabbas2443]

Remove the veto from these 5 countries or else form a united nations without these 5.

[@mustafecabdi1526]

What candy of insult. Member of Security council without vetoes hhhhhhhhhhhh

[@lillyhadgay3391]

Love this woman‼️‼️❤️❤️❤️

[@yunghoprincelysafeh8199]

Africa needs just one seat with veto power. The vote will be in the hands of the AU president which is based on rotation

[@فاطمهفاطمه-م4ض]

I am your sister from Yemen, and by Allah I only spoke out of hunger and distress. My mother, my brothers, and I lessons and tears. We are in a situation that only God knows about. God is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs for those who broughtOh people, we are your sisters, by God 😭😭😭 We do not even find a loaf of bread inside the house that would satisfy you, oh nation of Muhammad. People are brothers. Oh God, make your righteous servants subservient to us. Oh God, make your righteous servants subservient to us. My appeal to every Muslim, oh Lord, if he sees this message, may He prolong his life, make him happy, and cover him. May God reward him. God is sufficient for me, and He is the best disposer of affairs. There is no power or strength except with God. Oh people, oh nation of Muhammad, oh people of goodness, oh people of mercy. We are your sisters and your children. By God, we do not even find a loaf of bread inside the house that would satisfy you. Oh nation of Muhammad, I only spoke out of extreme hunger and distress. My mother, sisters, and I are displaced from our homes because of the war. We are in a state that no one knows about except God. God is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs, against those who brought us to this state 💔💔 By God Almighty, I only wrote this appeal out of extreme poverty and poverty, oh people. I beg you by God Almighty, Lord of the Mighty Throne, that I do not have food at home. By God, my brothers and sisters have been sitting around for two days. Without food, by God our situation is very difficult, we are 4 people in the house and my father passed away and there is no one to support us and we live in a rented house and we cannot pay the rest of the rent. I am not lying to you nor deceiving you nor cheating you. I am a Yemeni girl displaced because of the war between me and my family over a rent dispute and the owner of the house. By God, my brother comes every day and humiliates us and talks about us and wants us to go out to the street because we are unable to pay him the rent. The neighbors saw us crying and talked to the neighbors again and gave us a deadline until the end of the week and we swore to God to let us out of the street now we are in arrears of 60 thousand Yemeni riyals for 3 months rent may God have mercy on us our country is suffering because of this war and we do not find our daily sustenance and we live my mother and sisters our father passed away may God have mercy on him and we do not have anyone in the world to come to us in these harsh circumstances my little sisters went out to the street and saw the neighbors eating and stood at their door giving them even a piece of bread and by God in whose hand is the heavens and the earth they closed the door and kicked them out and they came back crying dying of hunger no one has mercy on them and now the holiday has come back to me if no one of us helps us with a kilo of flour by God we will die of hunger brother I seek refuge in God and then in you and I want your help for the sake of God I ask you by God you love goodness and help me even if it is about the rent of the house send me a WhatsApp message on this number [phone] and ask for my card name and send it and do not delay may God compensate you with all good My little sisters, look at their situation and help us and save us before they throw us out into the street and humiliate us or my family and I die of hunger. We ask you by God, if you are able to help us, do not delay on us, and may God reward you with good.'~~_«%•&»_~~_~&:»'////;&&;&;&;;&🎉😢😢😢😢;&;&&&//&..,!~~~♡♡♡~~~♡~♡~•~•~•~•~♡~♡~♡~;l.i.i.i.i.i.l.|-.-......,.,..,.,.,..,.,.,.,..,.,.

[@Djursnerable]

Try less allah and more hard work.

[@Behold_I_Am]

You don't have veto power now take the permanent seat

[@lillyhadgay3391]

Arikana Chihombori-Quao for President ‼️‼️‼️❤️❤️❤️

[@tayibetti9316]

Alternatively African countries should boycott the United Nations and join BRICS countries.this will make Africa stronger and expose the hypocrisy of the UN security council voting power

[@kpe44]

Africa will rise✊🏿

veto the veto.. all nations need to be commensurately represented.

[@Djursnerable]

We did have that system, it was called the League of Nations. You should read about it. Superpowers will not accept being controlled by world opinion. That is how we had World War 2.

@@Djursnerable League of Nations was faulted historically, but nothing compared to the United Nations of today. So in the worst case, one can consider history repeating itself, but worse. The very concept of "super powers" is a false equivalent. I reject the argument outright. Man was created equal, all nations throughout the world need and should be represented respectfully. That is to say for any form of democracy to be levied a majority vote needs to be respected. It is complete nonsense that a "super power" has leverage over a majority of nations in the Security Council or any other voting protocol engaged.

[@Behold_I_Am]

If it's is about population size then India needs a permanent seat and her veto power

[@carlosaristeumergen1969]

É absolutamente inconcebivel que países por exemplo como Brasil, Índia e Africa do Sul, lideres incontestes em seus respectivos continentes não tenham assento no Conselho Permanentd da ONU, justamente em um mundo, que caminha célere para a multipolaridade.

[@lekernous]

Again, a kind of segregation or discrimination for Africa. When they know where they raw minerals come from. Full veto powers or leave Africa alone.

[@TitoKane-vv2hf]

Africawiide is over 4,8 BILLION PEOPLE

[@Mary-Louise-mk8qw]

Good. On you madame