Eyes on UNSC’s next move as Ukraine war overshadows the 78th General Assembly
Will the United Nations Security Council lift the arms embargo on South Sudan?
It was Monday, September 19, 2023. The day started with a downpour, delegates and dignitaries from around the world flocked to the United Nations building in New York like a swamp of bees.
Members of the press carry cameras and other equipment to cover the event, while live mobile broadcasting vans from a number of media houses around the world are stationed outside the premises of the UN building.
Heads of state, prime ministers, and monarchs arrived for talks and photo sessions with the UN Secretary-General setting the mood for the grand debate that was to follow at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
South Sudan President, Salva Kiir delivered his speech two days later highlighting the political, humanitarian, and security challenges facing the country.
President Kiir called on the United Nations Security Council to lift the arms embargo imposed on the country in 2015 following violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, targeting civil society, journalists, human rights defenders, and humanitarian or NGO workers.
South Sudan President, Gen. Salva Kiir addressing the UNGA on Thursday 21st September, 2023. UN Photo.
He made the remarks in a week where two Unicef tracks delivering medication to Yei were set on fire – no group has claimed responsibility over the incident – gunshots were also heard in Malakal market, Upper Nile, and an SSPDF Helicopter opening fire on innocent civilians in Pochala County in Pibor Administrative Area.
The president called on the international community to avail resources to help refugees fleeing the conflict in Sudan as they work on restoring peace and stability.
With the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) still lagging behind, President Kiir assured delegates his government is still committed to global efforts aimed at addressing the challenges facing the human family.
“We are also committed to multilateralism and international cooperation as the best means of achieving our shared aspirations,” Kiir added.
However, the highlight of the General Assembly was set in motion when US President Joe Bidden took to the stage on Tuesday, September 20, as the audience eagerly waited to hear his speech.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressing the UNGA on Tuesday 19th September, 2023. UN Photo
As anticipated, he weighed heavily on the war in Ukraine. Expressing strong support for Ukraine, Biden referred to the Russian invasion as an “illegal conquest brought without provocation” that can only be ended by Russia.
“We have to stand up to this aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors,” he said, adding “It’s not only an investment in Ukraine’s future but in every country.”
Delegates got a taste of the war when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his first in-person appearance, drawing global attention to Russia’s ongoing incursion into Ukraine and calling for the removal of Russia’s veto power as one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
“This seat in the Security Council, which Russia occupied illegally, through backstage manipulations following the collapse of the Soviet Union, has been taken by liars whose job is to whitewash the aggression and genocide being carried out by Russia,” Zelenskyy told the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Russian Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia challenged Zelenskyy’s right to address the assembly at the session’s outset, leading to a contentious meeting.
Russian Ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia speaking at the UNSC Tuesday, 19th September 2023. UN Photo.
Although she stands in solidarity with Ukraine, Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley echoed her frustration with the way Ukraine and its President Zelenskyy have taken the global attention yet “more lives are at stake globally than they are in Ukraine.”
These comments will likely be music to the ears of African heads of state who have witnessed a shift of events with coups having taken place in Niger, and Gabon and the war in Sudan being given little attention. The month of May will be crucial to the UN because all eyes will be on the next Security Council meeting to bring the reforms world leaders have asked for.
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