SYRIA: A SYMPTOM OF THE STATE OF PARALYSIS THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS AND AN URGENCY FOR REFORM

  SYRIA: A SYMPTOM OF THE STATE OF PARALYSIS THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS AND AN URGENCY FOR REFORM

The security council and the charter under which it was created necessitates that the organ itself needs look beyond, see and take heed to necessary reforms to meet the ever changing world: a reflection into the global world order within which it conduct its function. Against the backdrop of what currently exist which is high politics of expediency. Viewing its paralysis from the standpoint of  what is manifesting itself in Syria,it only greets to the needs and case that points to such call for reform to nip the further incubation of future symptom.

The cold war era was characterized with disparaging outcome disheartening to such a great prestige organ, creating in it many problems of which ineffectiveness became so obvious in the security council operational outcome. The demise of that era was filled with great hopes and anticipation which at first seems possible and plausible but viewing from current scenario in Syria like in many others before it-Rwanda and Bosnia- has again reared its ugly head, an era we wish never to see again, its intent in manifestation seems everything between obvious and certainty.

Bases of the above prompted a questions from a classmate of mine -are we back to the cold war era where power plays politic upon human life? This is a question that I think should be posed to the security council and its permanent members as it necessities assurances to observers that the world body isn’t deviating again towards ideologically divided world that cripples anything positive and renders the global aim of peace and security invalid.

The point that remains critical at this moment is, millions are being killed, displaced and chemical weapons are ultimately involved in a power game,for which the organ sanctioned to see that any threat to human life is not taken for granted, and such organ isn't positioned to take necessary steps years after the event started to end such threat let alone reach a consensus on how to go about it. This stalemate requires the need for the General Assembly to act using the ‘Uniting for Peace Resolution', of which I think would be necessary regardless of whom the perpetrator might be in light of the current lock-down in the security council.

Finally, it must be noted that there is a great expression of goodwill all around the world towards the need for a more functioning global organization that will live to the expectation set out in its original founding document-responsive to world issues. This might be an illusion if the organ is resistant to changes required to reach these goals. Nationalist tendencies which challengers this obvious goodwill by dividing rather than building collective will to act, needs to be done away with. If the permanent members of the security council needs quantum of assurances, the world can so as to achieve a more efficient system that works for the collective than mirroring individualistic view based on belief.

Posted by Chidi Celestine

Student of: international relation and diplomacy

We The People: An Engagement Not To Be Ignored

The era of a leader without the consent of the people is long gone. This is a continuation of the blog’ Lone Player And The Game Lovers ‘posted on the 7/26/13. The recent events as it happens in Egypt I did indicate has potential danger as a result of lack of leadership especially coming from the United States political establishments . That inability to call it by its name –coup, as expected is turning blind eye to situation that requires political will/leadership.

The world requires honesty, a leadership that can continuously speak out without what I would call geopolitical policy of interest. Should we presume that no one anticipated the bloodbath of last week?Surely, the consequence of military take over in the 21^st century has the tendency especially in countries that has witnessed the long reign of dictatorship a pent up anger waiting to erupt. Surely this shouldn’t come as a surprise because this part of the world like and democratic country deserve better if not the best.

United State as the most visible leader of the world shouldn’t be ambiguous when it comes to issues of democratic principle as doing so would give no voice to the voiceless and on the long run compromise what we all believe is the only system that currently works.As a continent on the part to democratization nostalgic of the saying ‘as good as it get’,felt bad as in the case of Egypt where it is as bad as it unfolds.

The face of African continent has changed with the wave we came to associate as Arab Spring. The old order would find it difficult to maintain its status as the case has shown of in this case Egypt. Egyptians has this classic created forever in the hearts and minds of any country within the continent in this 21^st century to reject any form of imposed rulership. Africans has waken up and writings on the wall must be read by any would be leader to never ignore the people any longer and I hope the have got the desired right meaning.

This is a continent that leaders needs to reassure its women/youths that their future is not being taken for granted. This is the first part towards creating a social cohesion that would help uplift the millions of future leaders on which the continents growth rest.    

LESSONS FROM MALI:AN ON GOING STRUGGLE FOR OTHER COUNTRIES IN AFRICA

LESSONS FROM MALI

Against the odds of rigged and contestations of results that mare elections in this part of the world, having left behind a cloud of uncertainty in the whole process.  Malians and their political establishment have certainly showed maturity. Am happy they have set an example which other politicians within the continent should know ‘there is life after any/every election’ a missing link. This is because an entire country shouldn’t be meant to stand still while there are works to be done and individuals show off their egocentric displaced political ambition of ruling-politics of selfishness lacking selflessness.

Opposition knew what was at stake I believe-a country that needs an urgent attention, to which they are required to contribute to no matter how little a quota they are given, of course coming from the recently held war to regain parts of the country from extremism. This is worthy of emulation.

Furthermore, the understanding of democratization as an ongoing infinite process conditioned by forces at play and in it a positive progressivism of which election is just one part in such transition. This meant that government and governance should be owned by the governed to give it the desired outcome. Democracy maybe marred by systematism and statisfactrism of donor syndrome as opposed to inclusivity which in most countries are of obvious certainty.

Finally, it is important that efforts are made to enhance the social/economic wellbeing of the country and the people of Mali to see the benefits of the system of which they agreed to and voted to maintain.   

LOOKING PASS THE CURRENT(PERSONAL OPINION)

ARE THERE ANYWAY AFRICANS CAN RISE UP TO THE OCCASION TO MOVE PASS A CRIPPLING SYSTEM FOR THEIR OWN SEEK?
This is a question asked during a long dialogue I had with a few budding friends on Zimbabwe's a recently held election. I have tried avoiding commenting on the Zimbabwean election for several reasons one of which is:
the final decision still lays with that constitutional court. Still one finds it difficult to extricate oneself completely from the on going debate on what is best based on what has been said at different quarters as regard to the final outcome so far. This is also important considering the fact that ordinary peoples life are what is at stake.
This question was posed also with the background knowledge that no one knows a people better that the people themselves. Politics we all know is dirty game played by those who engage on it and from a stand point of where I am and writing from, there is no better way of dowsing the fire than diplomacy itself as it is the only best alternative to war.
The people spoke! From varying stand point differences remains. How can the critical situation on ground gets bypassed considering the fact that the real bearers of the blunt aren't the politically connected rather the ordinary man on the street.
I totally agree with the South African President Jacob Zuma's sentiment that the sanctions 'be lifted'-if not on the moral grounds but on the condition that the final decision by the court which is yet to be made-so as to give the due process of the law a backing and help the country's functional institution self correct itself.
I would like to repeat the slogan that has found its way into the diction of most Africans 'African solution to African problems. This I would like to be understood based on the obvious crisis that exist which can only be solved by the people whom are directly connected to it. Ours I would suggest is to support it. I make this assertion on the ground that most countries today still have disputed election of which the West is not spared.
Sanction I believe has served its purpose/course of which i submit most, if not all has learn a lesson thus far.
It is time we support efforts aimed at bringing this ones beautiful country on the part back to lost glory although we can argue how flawed this election ended.
Zimbabwe and its institutions aren't perfect,I submit,they will self correct,this way we are helping the country rather than conditioning an outcome.

KINGSHIP MENTALITY A DILUTION TO DEMOCRACY

Today I had time to discuss some strange issue about my continent with a friend of mine,finally afterwards the theme above came to my mind and I felt I should share it.
The kingship mentality of most at the corridors of power is much a bigger challenge in the struggle towards achieving the real democratic aspirations of the continent and its people.The dilemma we are faced with are not exclusive to a particular region or state within the continent but seems to be a recurrent manifestation that afflicts leadership at every level of our politic.
It is a problem we as a people are faced with as we try to make sense of workable democratic system in the continent. Democracy many would argue, has roots within our kingship formula. This I would strongly say does not hold water, further supported on basis  of -the absence of accountability-which in all intent and purpose is completely not built within as to the way the kingship formula was arranged.When we take directly from what we had, which in principle isn't workable in this current system and put into what we have-democracy as it should be, we create a non workable system which disenfranchises the participant -the general masses,leaving a system of subject/master relationship- a King which is unchallengeable the ruler and the Yes Subject who are ruled. This is the possible tendencies of sit tight/never ready to give up power rulers, which has continued to mare our style of democracy which has perpetuated lack of or therein of substantive leaders within the continent of Africa. This is one part to inability to develop leaders who are capable to lead the continent and its people into the 21st century.
This is a mindset that needs to be changed that old guards may give way to up and coming would-be leaders of tomorrow. the Kingship mentality needs to be RIP to allow the continent benefit from its Human Capital.       

A LONE PLAYER AND THE GAME LOVERS

Please permit me to tickle your mind a little, a lone player hired four spectators to man the goal post, he instructed them with these words not exactly you know what I mean 'make sure I score as much as I shoot'. All this to the dismay of others who voiced their displeasure-this is a boring game-observers comment.
Am a great admirer/stanch follower of democratic principles not just on the structure of the words buts also on what it aim to achieve on the people who practice and observe it. The rule is simple and easy to be played.
Egyptian military played the USA  to this game. The redefinition of the word 'coup' to the outside spectator is boring. The dilemma for the USA shouldn't be on redefining the word rather on protecting the democratic believes of which we all profess. The USA should be worried of what lovers of democratic principle thinks of when it is compromised. This is potentially dangerous and could lead to a situation where 'a spade cannot be called a spade'. This is 21st century, of which, the definition of coup should not be ambiguous. By failing to call it by its name,that would create a scenario in which a  pseudo military politician would think-it is lawful to take unlawful action when there is an opportunity. This is a green light to which I say God forbid.
Coming from a country in West Africa, having witnessed the destabilizing effect of military take over-coup,which resulted in many years of democratic erosion and under development which we still experience its hang over, with every slightest fear they might strike again,makes it important that Washington should understand that we the people places our hopes on what comes forth from them.
 The people of Egypt deserves the slightest truth of which ambiguity is the lest expected not for now, as they try to make meaning of what democracy is all about and how the game is played.
I wrote this in my personal capacity to plead to the USA-The President,Congress and others in policy formulation, the meaning/definition of coup is still the same,lets not fall into the game played by a lone player-the military in Egypt. Leadership is all about truth/decisiveness,bending the rule is not to anyone interest- A COUP IS A COUP. IF IT LOOK LIKE A COUP AND SMELLS LIKE ONE IT IS A COUP. Lets not be played at our game. 

THE MASTERPIECE

'Life is but a dream'
knowledge of which we can't deny
few have come to see its dual sides
the one who gives and the other which recieves
most fall short of the given.
yours is the side hard to topple
thanks for what we've known now
-it's all about selflessness.
 
(dedicated to Nelson Mandela as he turns 95yrs)