Hervorming van die Verenigde Nasies Veiligheidsraad: 'n Kommentaar oor die Suid-Afrikaanse standpunt

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to briefly portray the development of the present structure and composition of the Security Council of the UN, summarise the arguments of the non-western powers, including South Africa, the common African and the   Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) for the reform of the Security Council and offer some comments regarding this position. The principal comment of the essay is that these positions on the reform of the UN Security Council is a wonderful gesture and imminently democratic proposals. But it is unlikely to be successful. The experience of the last 11 years with the Open Working Group (regarding the reform of the Security Council) is adequate evidence. The Security Council will only be reformed or adapted if the international structural circumstances so require. That is, only the advent of a new and powerful international power, or a powerful bloc of states, whose influence cannot be ignored, will cause the Security Council to be enlarged.