Zuma drums up support for UN seat bid
13 August 2010
President Jacob Zuma has used his state visit to Lesotho to drum up support as the country bids for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
South Africa, which is vying for a spot on the 15-nation Council as a non-permanent member for the 2011-2012 term, will use the seat to raise issues affecting the developing world.
The new permanent members are to be elected by the 192-member UN General Assembly in New York in October.
If elected, South Africa will serve a second term as a non-permanent member of the council. South Africa last sat on the council in 2007-2008.
Issues of mutual interest
Addressing Lesotho's Parliament in Maseru on Thursday, Zuma was hopeful that South Africa's candidature will be able to receive the support of many countries - including Lesotho.
"South Africa intends to use this seat once more to raise the issues of mutual interest to the continent and the developing world," he said, adding that a transformed UN system will be more efficient.
"It is our firm view that the Security Council should also be enlarged to better reflect and portray contemporary global political realities."
Political tolerance needed
Zuma's two-day state visit in Lesotho was aimed at reviving bilateral and economic relations between the two countries. He also used the opportunity to urge Lesotho's political leaders to promote political tolerance and restore lasting peace.
Lesotho's Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili recently survived an assassination attempt by attackers who planned to seize power. Zuma said the Lesotho government and its makers should embrace democratic principles.
"Besides strengthening institutions of governance, it is also imperative that a democratic culture and practice is embraced and entrenched. This culture entails political tolerance and representation, public participation, government accountability, observance of human rights and the rule of law," Zuma told Parliamentarians.
Adopting common positions
Noting that Lesotho was an important player in the Southern African region, Zuma said there was a need for both countries to work and adopt common positions in international forums that will benefit the countries and the continent at large.
"In this era of freedom and democracy, we must find ways of making this symbiotic relationship to work for the mutual benefit of both countries and peoples."
Source: BuaNews
