ADDRESS AFRICA’S POLITICAL CRISES WITH COMMITTMENT— ANALYSTS TELL UN
REPORTER: UZOR EGWU
Some political affairs analysts in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital have stressed the need for the United Nations to demonstrate more commitment in addressing political crises in Africa and engendering peace globally.
They made the call while reviewing the impact of the global union as Nigeria joins other member nations to observe the United Nations Day.
The United Nations Day is created to raise awareness on the aims and aspirations of the Union, highlight its successes as well as seek support for its activities.
The organization founded on June 26, 1945 after the second world war is aimed at maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights and providing humanitarian services in cases of famine, natural disasters and armed conflicts.
However, with almost two years of Russian invasion of Ukraine, the ongoing onslaught in the Gaza Strip and recent coups in parts of Africa, the question is where is the United Nations?
Analysing the activities of the UN, one of the respondents, Mr. Parkins Uzor, observed that although the United Nations had been responsive in the provision of aids in emergency and conflict situations, it had failed in its primary objective of maintaining global peace.
Mr. Uzor, who is a legal practitioner, advised the UN to form its own army with personnel drawn from all member states to remain an unbiased umpire when there would be the need to enforce peace.
On the activities of the organization in Africa , Mr. Uzor said that the UN had not been effective in managing political crises on the continent because of neglect and vested interests.
A political scientist, Mr. Destiny Nwodom, argued that Africa is not effectively represented at the UN, a situation he described as a form of marginalization by the white supremacists.
In his submission, a lecturer in the Dept. of Political Science, Ebonyi State University (EBSU) Abakaliki, Dr. Joseph Nkwede, opined that the UN had not done enough to protect African member states, especially given the recent spate of coups on the continent.
Dr. Nkwede blamed the neglect of Africa by the UN on super powers that often influence its decisions and called on the Union to look beyond economic viability and protect all member states.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “The Frontlines of Climate Action.”
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
