Kinshasa, May 31st, 2021 (CPA).- The President of the Republic, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo reaffirmed on Saturday the candidacy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2022-2023 fiscal year .
Head of State Félix Tshisekedi announced it to ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the DRC, as well as some members of his cabinet during a ceremony held at the Nation Palace in Kinshasa.
For Head of State Félix Tshisekedi, the DRC is the ideal candidate for the Central African region, given its geostrategic location on the continent.
“We presented our candidacy in 2019 and we are fully committed to this important adventure. Being aware of the important geostrategic role it plays for the maintenance of international peace and security, it is with humility and determination that the Democratic Republic of the Congo reminds the world that it is located in the heart of Central Africa and at the junction of four Africa, North, South, East and West, “said President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo.
President Félix Tshisekedi also said that the DRC has always advocated for a rules-based international system and is committed to working closely with all UN members to advance the mandate. Of the UN Security Council in an inclusive, responsive and consultative manner in order to have a Security Council that works for all.
The Head of State who is also President-in-Office of the African Union unveiled his program of action which emphasizes strategies between peace, security, environment and development.
These include, he said, building bridges for peace and security in the world; peacekeeping operations; preventing and combating terrorism and violent extremism; the environment and climate change; protection of wild flora and fauna; women, peace and security; the land of refugees; regional peace and security; youth, peace, security and development, and justice, human rights and democracy.
The DRC has already sat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations from 1982 to 1983 and then from 1990 to 1991. Currently, Kenya, Niger and Tunisia occupy the African places.
The Security Council, it is recalled, consists of 15 members, including 5 permanent members – China, United States, Russian Federation, France and United Kingdom – and 10 members elected by the General Assembly for a period two years.
One of the functions of the Security Council is to maintain international peace and security, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations.