Africans submit UN draft text on Security Council expansion

UNITED NATION: An African draft resolution calling for six new permanent seats with veto power on the UN Security Council, including two for Africa, was formally submitted to the General Assembly Wednesday, African diplomats said. But the draft was introduced on a individual basis by some African countries rather than on behalf of the entire 54-member African bloc, one diplomat said. Earlier a negotiating team mandated by the African Union and led by Nigerian Foreign Minister Olu Adeniji told reporters that although Africans would introduce their draft, they remained open to negotiations with other groups on rival proposals. “Africa has a position which it wants to place on the record but the African Union does not exclude negotiations with other groups,” said Adeniji who came here to promote the African draft. Adeniji’s remarks came a day after the United States urged the Assembly to oppose a draft resolution submitted by Brazil, Germany, India and Japan, which calls for enlarging the Security Council from 15 members to 25, with six new permanent seats without veto power, including two for Africa, and four non-permanent seats. afp

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