WARNING that the durability of multilateralism is under threat, President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on BRICS countries to stand together in defending international law and strengthening the multilateral system.
Tap here to download the FREE Daily Sun App
Ramaphosa was speaking at the 18th BRICS Summit hosted in New Delhi, India, on Saturday, 12 September, during a critical session focused on inclusive global governance and strengthening multilateralism.
During his speech, he said the world was facing a period of “profound challenge and change in global affairs”.
The United Nations has endured the Cold War and many other challenges while largely upholding its mandate to maintain global peace and security. Yet, the relevance of the United Nations and the durability of multilateralism are now threatened by overt violations of the UN Charter and the resort to war to settle differences between Member States,
— he said.
Clarifying the country’s stance, Ramaphosa said Mzansi supports a predictable global system based heavily on international law, with the UN Charter at its centre.
He stressed that international law must apply equally to all countries around the globe.
“International law cannot be applied selectively: the same principles must apply to all states, and the same protections must apply to all peoples,” he said.
Turning his attention to global conflicts, the president also called for accountability for atrocities and violations of international law.
To give strength to the law, there must be accountability for atrocities: for the ongoing genocide against the Palestinians, for the crimes committed against the people of Sudan and for the illegal war against Iran. We must exert pressure and expose violations whenever, and by whomever, they are committed,
— Ramaphosa said.
TIME FOR UN REFORM
Focusing on the urgency of diplomatic cooperation, Ramaphosa said BRICS should act as a bridge between countries at a time of growing geopolitical tensions.
“In a fragmented world, dialogue matters more than confrontation,” he said.
Within this context, Ramaphosa said the United Nations Security Council must be reformed to make it more representative, accountable, transparent and effective. Addressing the current disparity at the highest level of global governance, he said Africa’s lack of permanent representation was unfair.
Africa accounts for 54 Member States of the United Nations and nearly one-fifth of humanity yet remains without permanent representation on the Security Council. This is neither just nor sustainable.
He said BRICS had an important role to play in pushing for change. According to Ramaphosa, BRICS must remain a united voice for UN reform, show that multilateral cooperation can deliver practical results and help shape a fairer, more accountable and development-focused global system.
Furthermore, Ramaphosa said BRICS countries must ensure that the voices of Africa and the Global South are heard when the future of the international order is shaped.
We must strengthen multilateralism through reform and action. We must uphold international law and allow no one to act with impunity,
— he said.
