ACCORD held a two-part webinar series on 23 and 30 May 2025 in celebration of Africa Day, commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Ezulwini Consensus, the African negotiated position on United Nations (UN) reform.
The first moderated conversation took place on 23 May with Amb Said Djinnit, the African Union’s (AU’s) first Commissioner for Peace and Security, during which the Ezulwini Consensus was negotiated. Amb Djinnit discussed the historical context that led to the creation of the Ezulwini Consensus and the challenges Africa faced in advocating for reforms at the UN. Beyond the call for permanent representation, Africa has also expressed its disapproval of states having veto powers at the UN Security Council. Amb Djinnit concluded by emphasising the need for Africa to increase its economic power, foster greater African unity, and engage youth more effectively.
The second webinar held on 30 May featured Amb Welile Nhlapo, South Africa’s first Ambassador to Ethiopia and the Permanent Representative to the predecessor of the AU, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). Amb Nhlapo addressed the political considerations surrounding which countries would serve as Africa’s permanent representatives on the UN Security Council, as well as the difficulties that Africa has come up against in trying to bring about reforms. While the UN reforms outlined in the Ezulwini Consensus have not come to fruition, Amb Nhalpo highlighted the challenge in reaching consensus on the establishment of the A3 seats on the Security Council.
Both conversations were moderated by Ms Mpule Kgetsi, the current African Youth Ambassador for Peace for Southern Africa.
This two-part series provided an opportunity to unpack the Ezulwini Consensus and its implications for Africa against the backdrop of the current challenges to multilateralism. Specifically, it provided an important opportunity to engage two senior diplomats who were involved in the negotiation processes which led to the development of the Ezulwini Consensus.
