The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2026-2027. The country aims to influence peacekeeping discussions, having previously served as a non-permanent member and hosting a significant UN peacekeeping mission. Elections for these seats are scheduled for June 2025, and the DRC is committed to enhancing conflict resolution strategies on an international level.
On Wednesday, the Democratic Republic of Congo formally initiated its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the term 2026-2027 during a ceremony held in Kinshasa. The UN Security Council, regarded as the preeminent body of the United Nations, has a critical mandate to uphold international peace and security, with the authority to make legally binding decisions and enforce sanctions. Currently, the Council consists of five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—and ten elected non-permanent members, chosen for two-year terms without veto power.
The DRC has previously held non-permanent membership on two occasions: from 1982 to 1983 and again from 1991 to 1992 amid the Gulf War. At the launch event, Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner emphasized the DRC’s significant contributions to international peace efforts, citing the country’s involvement in condemning Iraq’s aggression against Kuwait during the Gulf conflict.
Presently, the DRC is home to one of the largest UN peacekeeping operations globally, comprising approximately 15,000 peacekeepers. Minister Kayikwamba Wagner noted that if elected to the Security Council, the DRC would provide valuable insights into peacekeeping and reform initiatives related to global security. This ambition is crucial, especially given the ongoing conflicts faced by the DRC, particularly in its resource-rich eastern regions, which have experienced turmoil for the past thirty years.
The elections for non-permanent Security Council membership are set to occur in June 2025. Minister Kayikwamba Wagner expressed the country’s commitment to contributing towards enhancing conflict resolution strategies on a global scale, aiming to facilitate the prevention of wars and international strife.
The United Nations Security Council plays a pivotal role in maintaining international peace and security. It is comprised of five permanent members with veto power and ten non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms. The Democratic Republic of Congo has previously served in a non-permanent capacity on two occasions, notably during significant global conflicts. With an extensive UN peacekeeping presence, the DRC seeks to leverage its experience to influence security discussions and reforms within the UN framework, particularly in light of its own longstanding internal conflicts.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s launch of its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council signifies its intent to actively engage in global peacekeeping discussions. With past experience and a substantial UN peacekeeping force, the DRC aims to leverage its position to influence the collective security system and provide insights gleaned from its enduring conflicts. The upcoming elections in June 2025 present an opportunity for the DRC to contribute further to international peace efforts.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
