Reading the newspapers during the past two weeks could easily have created the impression that the only role South Africa has played since it assumed a non- permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council was to vote against the resolution on Myanmar. There was no reflection on the country’s role in council discussions about the situations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Nepal, Ethiopia- Eritrea, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire and the Central African Republic. Yet, in all these discussions, South Africa has been a constructive partner.
Even the vote on Myanmar was wrongly cast as a first, or “inaugural”, vote by South Africa on the council. For the record, it was the second — South Africa voted on January 10 in favour of the extension of the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in Cote d’Ivoire.
South Africa’s reasons for voting against the resolution were also misrepresented. Some have sought to mislead the public into thinking that the government acted irresponsibly and without regard for the situation in Myanmar. This is far from the truth.
The South African government has consistently stated that human rights abuses anywhere in the world must be condemned. The country favours strengthening the human rights machinery of the UN — a machinery that is a key component of the edifice of the multilateral system that South Africa believes provides the only framework for the resolution of problems facing the world today. The government is proud of the fact that South Africa is one of the first members of the new UN Human Rights Council.
South Africa voted against the resolution on Myanmar because it believed it was going to compromise the good offices of the UN secretary general in addressing sensitive matters of peace, security and human rights. South Africa believes it would have closed the door to further interventions by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the UN Special Envoy on Myanmar. During his last visit to Myanmar Gambari had managed to convey to the government of that country the concerns of the international community. He also met with opposition groups, including political detainees such as Aung San Suu Kyi.
South Africa opposed the resolution because it believes that the situation in Myanmar does not fall within the mandate of the Security Council. The council is entrusted with the maintenance of international peace and security. The UN Charter created other organs such as the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. It is important that the balance between these organs be maintained if we are to strengthen the multilateral system.
The Security Council encroaching on the work of other bodies is a major issue at the UN. During a debate on January 8 a number of countries referred to this matter. The ambassadors of Ghana, Panama, China, South Africa and Indonesia made the point that not all potential threats to peace can or should be addressed by the Security Council. These ambassadors also stressed that the council cannot stand on its own and that it is one of many organs of the UN.
Beyond the confines of the 15- member Security Council a number of countries have made this point. Just last week, a letter on behalf of 116 countries, members of the Non-Aligned Movement, was presented to the president of the Security Council complaining about this trend. Should this not matter in our own discourse in South Africa?
The idea that because the human rights machinery is slow in addressing situations in some countries, they should be brought before the council is an intellectual stretch. It belies a limited understanding of international affairs and the conduct of diplomacy.
The main concern of the UN membership is that the Security Council has been increasingly assuming for itself legislative and executive powers that were not foreseen in the Charter. By doing this the council weakens multilateralism and undermines the work of other organs of the UN.
The attempts to compare Myanmar with the reaction of the UN to apartheid are disingenuous and bizarre. Apartheid was a crime against humanity and the apartheid state was a threat to international peace and security. Its record both in Southern Africa and the rest of the world speaks for itself.
South Africa will continue to work towards the strengthening of multilateralism as it believes it is the best hope for the future. Strengthening multilateralism also means reforming the Security Council so that countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America can become permanent members.
Xolisa Mabhongo is Chief Director: United Nations (Political) Directorate, Department of Foreign Affairs