President Hage Geingob on Wednesday said

President Hage Geingob on Wednesday said the only sure way to restore trust in the United Nations (UN) will be for the UN Security Council to become more inclusive.
“It must be inclusive by including Africa at the highest decision-making level,” Geingob said while addressing the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Wednesday.
Namibia has for many years been advocating for the inclusion of Africa as a permanent member of the Security Council.
The Security Council is composed of 15 members of which five countries are permanent members that have the power to veto all resolutions. They are China; France; Russia; the United Kingdom; and the United States of America (USA). The General Assembly elects the additional 10 non-members for a two-year term.
“Africa should not only be seen as a source of precious primary commodities but an important and equal partner of the international community, with a contribution to make,” he said.
The Head of State also took the opportunity to call for an end of Israeli’s occupation of the Palestine.
“Namibia stands together with the international consensus that the Israeli occupation of Palestine must end.”
Similarly, Geingob stressed that the people of Western Sahara cannot continue to have their inalienable rights to self-determination and national independence denied.
“We call upon the urgent implementation of all Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, with the aim of holding a free and fair referendum in Western Sahara.”
Over the past years, the President said Namibia has noted the growing rapprochement between Cuba and the USA, culminating in the reopening of embassies between the two countries.
“We believe that this rapprochement should lead to the full lifting of the economic and financial embargo against the Republic of Cuba and its people, who have the right to pursue peace and a decent life.”
Geingob is in the USA to attend the UNGA as well as other peripheral official engagements.
(NAMPA)