South Africa UN Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo
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South Africa's stint at the UN Security Council (UNSC) was disastrous; and bitterly disappointing to the aspirations of the African continent. Good ridden!!
In his farewell speech, the South Africa's UN Ambassador registered his regrets for "lack of success in addressing the long-standing conflicts on the agenda". Ambassador Kumalo hopes "the incoming members of the Council will continue the fight on these issues for the sake of the suffering people in those areas and the council's credibility." What a travesty! South Africa's stint at the UN Security Council (UNSC) was disastrous; and bitterly disappointing to the aspirations of the African continent. Good ridden!!
In his farewell speech, the South Africa's UN Ambassador registered his regrets for "lack of success in addressing the long-standing conflicts on the agenda". Ambassador Kumalo hopes "the incoming members of the Council will continue the fight on these issues for the sake of the suffering people in those areas and the council's credibility." What a travesty!
South Africa's UN representation to the UN in particular and the South Africa (SA) diplomacy in general inflicted major damage to the ambitions of the Africa continent to have a permanent sit at the UNSC. Under the leadership of former president Thabo Mbeki, South Africa was more concerned with advancing its regional policy in Southern Africa than looking after the interest of the African Continent as a whole. Obsessed with the situation in Zimbabwe and his blind support for its dictator Robert Mugabe, Mr. Mbeki neglected the various hot spots and conflicts that have been destroying the African continent and inflicting pain and suffering on its population.
As President of the UN Security Council, South Africa was expected to set the agenda of the Council, chairing meetings of the Security Council and guide the Council to decisions on a range of issues with African interests at heart. Unfortunately, this opportunity was squandered by the South African diplomacy. Instead of addressing issues of the most importance and urgency to the African continent, South African diplomats in New York, got into verbal arguments with other member of the UNSC over the situation in Zimbabwe and other side matters irrelevant to Africans. While the civil war was raging in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the humanitarian situating getting worst in Darfur, South Africa's mission to the UN was distracted and unable to get the UN to take action in these regions and save lives.
South Africa's UN Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo performance as president of the UNSC was poor and ineffective. Ambassador Kumalo came to the SC with a very narrow agenda that has more to do with demagogy than diplomacy. The South African delegation voted against resolution on human rights in Myanmar and a British proposal for a briefing on the situation in Zimbabwe, while pushing for similar resolutions against other members of the UN. The South African "undiplomatic" reign over the UNSC was decidedly divisive and non inclusive throwing another blow to the hope of millions of Africans to see their conferences addressed and their voices heard.
This performance should not come as a surprise since Ambassador Kumalo's boss, former president Mbeki, is no stranger to controversy. From his AIDS denial claims that resulted in the South African governmental refusal to provide effective AIDS treatment to its citizens that ultimately led to the premature deaths of thousands of South Africans, to his refusal to allow Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai from boarding a plane to Morocco where he was due to receive an award for his work in promoting democracy and human rights in Africa, Mr. Mbeki is border line bizarre.
Mr. Mbeki's divisive policy damaged the reputation of an other institution as well: The African National Congress (ANC), a treasured political organization that embodies the struggle of Africa against oppression and colonialism, was torn apart due to Mbeki's intransigence and self-serving interests. Mbeki's refusal to accept his dismissal from the ANC has plunged the country into a turmoil that would undoubtedly further the suffering of poverty stricken South Africans.
I have no doubt that the country that gave the world great men of the caliber of Nelson Mandela and Reverend Desmond Tutu will survive and thrive despite these troubles and holdups. As an African, I hope to see the economic power house South Africa, as a fair leader that represents the interests of all Africans regardless of ideology or politics.  Author: Hassan Masiky is a native of Kenitra, Morocco. He graduated from the University of the District of Columbia with a degree in political science in 1991. Upon graduation, Hassan joined the Washington DC based non government organization the Parliamentary Human Rights Foundation (PHRF) where he worked as a consultant for USAID democracy projects in Mexico, Haiti, Republic of Georgia and the European Parliament. After leaving PHRF, Hassan dedicated his time advising Amnesty International USA on African and Middle Eastern affairs and representing the organization in press conferences. Mr. Masiky was a host on several television shows discussing human rights and democracy. He is currently working for a Federal Agency in the Washington area. \n \n
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