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UN Security Council needs reforms: Mnangagwa
20 May 2011 at 05:12hrs | Views
Zimbabwe is preparing to join the world in commemorating the International Day of the United Nations Peacekeepers on May 29, amid calls from Defence Minister, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa for the reformation of the UN Security Council in order to stop unilateralism of western nations in decision making.
Speaking at the launch of the Zimbabwe chapter of the 63rd anniversary of the International Day of the UN Peacekeepers at Defence House in Harare this Thursday, Cde Mnangagwa said the voices of people in the third world have been suppressed resulting in unilateral decisions by western nations, hence the persistent calls for the reformation of the Security Council.
"There is dominance by the western countries, the super powers, in the decision making process of the UN Security Council. This is why there has been a cry over the past 12 years of the reform of the Security Council. It is because the voices of the third world countries are not heard," said Cde Mnangagwa.
In his address to the members of the defence forces gathered for the event, Cde Mnangagwa pointed out that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF)'s conduct on all UN peacekeeping missions has been commendable and professional despite attempts by Britain and its allies to portray Zimbabwe as a nation that does not uphold the rule of law.
"It is gratifying to note that Zimbabwe has deployed peacekeepers in Darfur, Liberia, east Timor and Sudan. This has continued to raise the country's flag high on the international political arena. This is despite calls by Britain and its allies seeking to portray Zimbabwe as a lawless nation," Cde Mnangagwa said.
The International Day of the UN Peacekeepers is held every year on May 29.
This years' celebrations will be held in Bindura, Mashonaland Central and will run under the theme, ‘The Rule of Law,' which Cde Mnangagwa said is very relevant to Zimbabwe's security forces as they have become major players in UN peace keeping missions.
"The theme is much more relevant to us as our sister forces of ZRP and ZPS have become major players in the UN peacekeeping mission," he said.
Last year, 2 900 UN peacekeepers died in missions in different parts of the world.
As the global body continues in its peacekeeping mandate in different parts of the world, observers say there is need to reform the UN Security Council in reality with voices from the developing countries.
Speaking at the launch of the Zimbabwe chapter of the 63rd anniversary of the International Day of the UN Peacekeepers at Defence House in Harare this Thursday, Cde Mnangagwa said the voices of people in the third world have been suppressed resulting in unilateral decisions by western nations, hence the persistent calls for the reformation of the Security Council.
"There is dominance by the western countries, the super powers, in the decision making process of the UN Security Council. This is why there has been a cry over the past 12 years of the reform of the Security Council. It is because the voices of the third world countries are not heard," said Cde Mnangagwa.
In his address to the members of the defence forces gathered for the event, Cde Mnangagwa pointed out that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF)'s conduct on all UN peacekeeping missions has been commendable and professional despite attempts by Britain and its allies to portray Zimbabwe as a nation that does not uphold the rule of law.
"It is gratifying to note that Zimbabwe has deployed peacekeepers in Darfur, Liberia, east Timor and Sudan. This has continued to raise the country's flag high on the international political arena. This is despite calls by Britain and its allies seeking to portray Zimbabwe as a lawless nation," Cde Mnangagwa said.
The International Day of the UN Peacekeepers is held every year on May 29.
This years' celebrations will be held in Bindura, Mashonaland Central and will run under the theme, ‘The Rule of Law,' which Cde Mnangagwa said is very relevant to Zimbabwe's security forces as they have become major players in UN peace keeping missions.
"The theme is much more relevant to us as our sister forces of ZRP and ZPS have become major players in the UN peacekeeping mission," he said.
Last year, 2 900 UN peacekeepers died in missions in different parts of the world.
As the global body continues in its peacekeeping mandate in different parts of the world, observers say there is need to reform the UN Security Council in reality with voices from the developing countries.
Source - Byo24News
