Germany and South Africa in the Security Council

Within the United Nations, the German Africa policy puts special emphasis on peace and security, the protection of human rights and international law, sustainable development, humanitarian assistance, education and research. The primary interests followed by South Africa include the further expansion of its South-South relations, the promotion of the African Agenda and its national priorities, such as health policy, agrarian reform, rural development and the creation of decent jobs.

Enlarge image President Zuma speaking at the UN General Assembly (© picture-alliance/dpa) Like Germany, South Africa pursues a policy of comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, which considers the global world order of the 21st century. In this case, both countries have the goal of permanent membership. This South African objective is explicitly supported by Germany.

South Africa and Germany are committed in the UN Security Council to ensure international peace and the compliance of internationally agreed mechanisms for conflict resolution.

German - South African cooperation takes on special significance against the backdrop of the Security Council’s primary role of dealing with crisis prevention and conflict resolution in Africa and South Africa’s central political and economic role on the continent. About 70 percent of the Security Council’s resolutions are on the subject of peace and security in Africa.

A major contribution that promises to improve the situation on the African continent was a recent initiative by South African President Jacob Zuma to strengthen the cooperation between the UN Security Council and regional organisations in peacekeeping and security issues. It was introduced and, with the consent of Germany and without changes, was adopted as a resolution. It includes in particular the cooperation of the United Nations with the African Union and its Peace and Security Council.

Enlarge image UN Security Council meeting (© dpa/picture-alliance) The improved cooperation between these institutions promises that the valuable, specialized local knowledge of these organisations can be used to improve the continuing work of the UN Security Council. By coordinating mutual positions, necessary measures can be implemented more quickly.

The South African-German cooperation in the Security Council is currently being discussed in South Africa as part of a multipart series of events with the participation of government representatives and experts of both countries and several non-governmental organizations. In 2011, the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation, the Hans Seidel Foundation together with the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the German Embassy held a conference entitled "Germany and South Africa in the UN Security Council" in Pretoria. Currently, more events which will address the cooperation between the two nations in the Security Council are being planned, among them a session on the "Responsibility to Protect”.