Mohammad Amjad Hossain :
The world body is apparently unbalanced in view of the population of the world since the Security Council of the world body is dominated by the United States, China, Russia and France Republic and United Kingdom while the rest ten are non-permanent members of the Security Council. Incidentally, none from Africa and Asia has the opportunity to become permanent member of the Security Council.
Therefore, Security Council of the United Nations remains unbalanced. From Africa Nigeria appear to be the largest country while India and Indonesia are the largest country from Asia. These three countries should have the right to become permanent member of the Security Council. Since the main mission of the Security Council apparently is to maintain international peace and security, according to UN charter of the United Nation.
Similarly, logically non-permanent members of the Security Council should be increased as well. Another glaring example is Mali since the Security Council has failed to carry out resolution of Ecowas (Economic Council of West Africa) on the military authorities in Mali since both Russia and China vetoed the resolution submitted by France. Russia and China blocked the resolution from supporting new sanction on Mali on 12/01/2022.Both Russia and China are responsible for continuing military rule in Mali. By now Ghana, Kenya and Gabon have spoken of imposing sanctions on military rule in Mali. As a result of veto by China and Russia in the Security Council military rule in Mali will continue. This was third coup d’etat in ten years in Mali. Internationally Mali is isolated since Ecowas at an emergency meeting in Ghana on 9 January of 2022 decided to close their borders, apart from severe diplomatic ties and impose economic sanction. In addition, UN, Ecowas, the EU, USA and Africa union issued joint statement condemning the coup which means Mali has been isolated in Africa.
Similarly, both China and Russia are continuously supporting the Tatmadaw of Myanmar which prevented repatriating the evicted Rohingya ethnic minority of Myanmar from Bangladesh. Having witnessed ridiculous situations in the Security Council it is suggested that permanent membership of the Security Council should be increased to make a balance in the Security Council while veto power should be abolished. This writer strongly feel United Nations has in fact become irrelevant since conflict in Ukraine, Yemen and Ethiopia failed to resolve since veto power is enjoyed by five members of the world body. It is high time to think about the world body since it was established in San Francisco of California on 26 June in 1945. Much water has been flown by now in the Pacific Ocean.
(Mohammad Amjad Hossain, retired diplomat from Bangladesh and former President Nova Toastmaster International Club of America, writes from Falls Church, Virginia).
