African vote may be decisive in UN Council expansion

UNITED NATIONS, Wednesday (AFP) The 54-member African bloc at the United Nations is in a position to play a deciding role in the upcoming debate over the Security Council expansion, diplomats here say.

In the coming weeks, the African countries may be the ones to sway the balance in favour or against the expansion project presented by the so-called G4 - Japan, German, Brazil and India - who want six new permanent member positions to be created.

China, the United States, France, Britain and Russia currently have permanent seats, all with right of veto. There are also 10 rotating Security Council seats, which do not have veto rights.

Under the G4's proposal, four new permanent positions would go to the countries who are proposing, with two other new permanent positions to go to African nations. A Security Council envisioned by G4 would number 25 in all.

To modify the composition of the Council, it would take two-thirds support from the UN General Assembly - 128 votes from a total of 191.

"With 54 votes, Africa represents nearly half of the required majority - it's a large battallion," said one diplomat. "If you have 40 to 45 African votes in favor, the bill passes."

The African group is not, however, a unified group. A split might come during the African Union summit in Libya on July 4-5 when the group has to find a common position on the UN reform plans, especially when it comes to designating candidates to the Security Council.

At least five countries - South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya and Senegal - have put forward potential candidates for permanent seats. But, the diplomat adds: "It is clear that for the continent, it is the G4 project that is the most appealing."

Africa currently has just three seats among the Council's 15 non-permanent seats. If the G4's proposal is adopted the continent would have a six seats, including two permanent seats, out of a total of 25.

No other reform proposal in the current debate offers so much to Africa - certainly not the US proposal, according to numerous diplomats.

Washington for the first time announced its official position on enlargement favoring 20 Security Council members and only two new permanent seats, one for Japan and the other to an unidentified developing nation.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has also made a proposal calling for a total 24 Security Council seats.