On Monday, Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) bemoaned the lame duck status of the UN Security Council as it was “unable to act on the most significant peace and security issues of our time.” Speaking at the opening of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the UN head lamented how the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israel–Hamas conflict in Gaza had “perhaps fatally” undermined the authority of the UN Security Council.
“The Council needs serious reform to its composition and working methods,” Mr Guterres stated. Mr Guterres, the ninth UN Secretary–General, has led the organisation since 2017, is either at the end of his tether, or, he is subtly sending a message that the UN can no longer fulfill its intended purpose. Mr Guterres’ vented frustration comes on the heels of last week Tuesday’s third veto by the United States of America of a UN Security Council proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine – 23rd February, 2022.
Mr Guterres’ conundrum of a rogue bull elephant, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, waging war on one of its own members, seemingly without restraint, has obviously taken its toll. The UN Charter does allow for the removal or suspension of permanent members of the Security Council, (as was mooted when Russia invaded Ukraine), and with so much resources being invested in the organisation it is quite understandable that the global whispering and muttering will only get louder as the inability of the world body to initiate peaceful resolutions to international conflicts escalates. The only mechanism for the removal a country from the UN requires a vote from the UN General Assembly based on a recommendation from the Security Council. This process has never been applied and given that the rogue elephant has veto powers on the Security Council, it’s highly unlikely that it will agree to concur to its own removal. It’s an untenable situation.
Addressing the UN Security Council on the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of its neighbour, Mr Guterres pleaded for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its international borders to be upheld. “It’s high time for peace – a just peace, based on the United Nations Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions,” the UN Secretary-General was quoted on the United Nations website as saying. Mr Guterres added, “Scorning the Charter has been the problem. Honouring it is the solution.”
The UN Security Council’s latest effort to pass a resolution that would have called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip was vetoed by the USA, claiming that it feared it could disrupt negotiations with Qatar and Egypt to release hostages from Gaza in exchange for a temporary humanitarian ceasefire. It should be noted that America’s backing of Israel was not completely in isolation as Britain, another permanent member, abstained – an abstention in these dire circumstances must be perceived as a nay vote – whilst the other thirteen members – including Guyana – voted in favour of the resolution.
As the casualties continue to mount in the thousands in the Gaza Strip and the clamour for humanitarian aid increases as more Palestinians are displaced, Algeria, which drafted the resolution, lambasted the USA, with their UN Ambassador, Amar Bendjama, quoted by the New York Times, as declaring to the Security Council that the veto “implies an endorsement of the brutal violence and collective punishment inflicted upon” the Palestin-ians. Mr Bendjama added, “…silence is not an option, now is the time for action and time for the truth.” An estimated 1.5 million persons are now living in tents and other makeshift shelters in the town of Rafah on the border with Egypt, most of whom fled their homes further north to escape Israel’s response to the October 7th attack by the Hamas group. Meanwhile, Mr Guterres fears a full-scale Israeli assault would be devastating for UN humanitarian aid efforts.
Guyana, having just being elected to the UN Security Council for the third time, has enjoyed a ringside view on these disturbing developments since the 2nd January, must have undue cause for worry with our neighbour’s aggressive claims to our territory and their simultaneous refusal to accept a ruling from the International Court of Justice.
As these two conflicts continue to drag on, it begs the question whether the United Nations set up after the Second World War to prevent a Third World War – a goal it was able to achieve – is still relevant? The UN now finds itself being held to ransom by two members who seem hell bent on their own agendas, regardless of what the majority of the membership decides. How long will this state of affairs persist before something gives? Mr Guterres appears to be at his wits end to finding solutions as he ponders the complex riddle of ensuring the respect for territorial integrity.
