African Heads of State Discuss Trade, Terrorism, & Security Council Reform at 2016 UNGA

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While issues surrounding the Syrian conflict and refugee crisis naturally took center stage at the 2016 UN General Assembly, African heads of state and other dignitaries took advantage of the spotlight to address a wide range of security and economic issues.

Highlighting various barriers to trade and economic growth, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama praised ongoing work toward the creation of a Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA). He also encouraged other African states to follow Ghana’s example by allowing citizens of African countries to obtain visas upon arrival in their destination countries.

“Africa does not need your sympathy or overseas development assistance,” said the first-term Ghanaian President and former Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). “Africa needs a fair chance to trade with the rest of the world and amongst ourselves.”

Mahama also addressed recurring stereotypes about the continent, saying, “The mistake with Africa is that we are seen as a homogenous unit and treated as such, not taking cognizance that we are a whole continent with different aspirations, cultures, democracies, and economic development,” he said.

As for security developments on the continent, the report is mixed.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari spoke about his country’s substantial progress against terrorism. Boko Haram, an Islamic terror group, controlled as much as several hundred square kilometers of Nigeria’s northeastern Borno province in January 2015.

“In the last few months, [Boko Haram’s] operations have been limited to sporadic use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) against soft targets. Nigeria has continued to combat terrorism based on the established rules of engagement and in conformity with international best practices,” Buhari said.

Alternatively, Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto addressed the UN General Assembly to express frustration at an unresolved refugee crisis in Somalia, a “fragile state” plagued by an Al-Shabaab insurgency and, in 2011, a crippling famine.

Ruto underscored Kenya’s continued willingness to accept Somali refugees, but pointed the finger at the international community for placing “a disproportionate burden on Somalia’s neighbors and risks undermining the credibility of international institutions.” While foreign governments and international organizations have pledged $500 million to the repatriation of Somali citizens, only 2% of the money has been received.

The consistent theme of the African leaders’ speeches was the collective demand for fundamental reform of the UN Security Council to give representation to an African member state.

Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, remarked that, “Africa has firsthand knowledge of these challenges [“of our world”], from terrorism, to armed conflict, to refugee crises, to human and drug trafficking, piracy, climate change and many more. None of these challenges can be truly resolved without permanent seats for our continent at the United Nations Security Council.”

Koroma continued, “Imposition of solutions on us is a non-starter.”

South African President Jacob Zuma also devoted time in his speech to reform of the Security Council, concluding that, “One billion people cannot continue to be denied a voice in this manner.”

While the creation of another permanent seat in the Security Council for an African member state is supported by many African governments and others outside of Africa (such as the U.K. and France), the Council’s permanent membership has not changed since its founding in 1945