Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged African Union (AU) member states to draw on the recommendations of the Amani Africa high-level panel of experts’ report on Africa and the reform of the multilateral system.

The report examines the sources and manifestations of the historical injustice Africa suffered in the multilateral system as it was designed and operated thus far, including within the United Nations (UN) system. Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks during the virtual launch of the report in Tsumeb on Tuesday.

She pointed out the longstanding issues of non-representation and under-representation of Africa in both the permanent and non-permanent memberships of the UN Security Council, which the report identifies as a legitimate grievance that must be addressed.

“The report makes it clear that reforming the multilateral system is a strategic imperative rather than a policy choice, both for Africa and the world at large,” she said. It further underscores the need for addressing the structural flaws of the multilateral system, and making it fit to respond to the current realities of the international order.

“As Africans, we have a responsibility to stand up and demand to be treated fairly and justly for the multilateral system to be legitimate and effective. If we do not speak up for ourselves, no one else will do it on our behalf,” Nandi-Ndaitwah stated.

The vice president further indicated that the report highlighted and provided useful proposals on the need for equitable and fair global financial and economic architecture.

The recommendations emphasise the importance of robust cooperation to address interconnected global challenges such as climate change, cyber security and systems that cater to women, the youth and future generations.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said the report makes it clear that the contestation facing the world is not between dismantling the system and building a new one.

“From where Africa stands, the contestation facing the world is rather between the forces for reform, and the forces of status quo. Considering that the status quo can no longer hold, we need to reform the multilateral system, and do so urgently. We cannot afford to move into the future with the attitude of the past,” she said. Amani Africa Media Research and Media Services in an independent pan-African policy research, training and consulting think tank with expertise on the AU policy processes. -NampaVice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged African Union (AU) member states to draw on the recommendations of the Amani Africa high-level panel of experts’ report on Africa and the reform of the multilateral system.

The report examines the sources and manifestations of the historical injustice Africa suffered in the multilateral system as it was designed and operated thus far, including within the United Nations (UN) system. Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks during the virtual launch of the report in Tsumeb on Tuesday.

She pointed out the longstanding issues of non-representation and under-representation of Africa in both the permanent and non-permanent memberships of the UN Security Council, which the report identifies as a legitimate grievance that must be addressed.

“The report makes it clear that reforming the multilateral system is a strategic imperative rather than a policy choice, both for Africa and the world at large,” she said. It further underscores the need for addressing the structural flaws of the multilateral system, and making it fit to respond to the current realities of the international order.

“As Africans, we have a responsibility to stand up and demand to be treated fairly and justly for the multilateral system to be legitimate and effective. If we do not speak up for ourselves, no one else will do it on our behalf,” Nandi-Ndaitwah stated.

The vice president further indicated that the report highlighted and provided useful proposals on the need for equitable and fair global financial and economic architecture.

The recommendations emphasise the importance of robust cooperation to address interconnected global challenges such as climate change, cyber security and systems that cater to women, the youth and future generations.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said the report makes it clear that the contestation facing the world is not between dismantling the system and building a new one.

“From where Africa stands, the contestation facing the world is rather between the forces for reform, and the forces of status quo. Considering that the status quo can no longer hold, we need to reform the multilateral system, and do so urgently. We cannot afford to move into the future with the attitude of the past,” she said. Amani Africa Media Research and Media Services in an independent pan-African policy research, training and consulting think tank with expertise on the AU policy processes. -Nampa