United Nations @80: ViP – A threat to our shared humanity! Let me reiterate, that, in the face of existential crises in the world, to eliminate the only platform (yes with imperfections) for negotiating differences and promoting cooperation will be to leave the world to the whims and caprices of the ‘vagabonds in power’, whose unpredictable and uncontrollable actions may leave irreversible consequences. In this regard, Nigeria is an eloquent yet shameful testimony. In the final analysis, what I know for sure is, to eliminate the UN at this time will mean leaving the world and its people in a cacophony of hopelessness. At the very least, let’s work to save the world from going to hell.
By Elsie-Bernadette Onubogu
I lay no claim to prophetic vision or anointing. However, wrongly or rightly but based on events and utterances, I believe that two Nigerians who lived not too long ago (unique but from different genre) were prophets though they seemed unaware. These are, Professor Chinua Achebe, and the other is the music icon Fela Anikulakpo Kuti. And, it is to Fela that I turned to as I set out to write about the apex multilateral organization – the United Nations eighty-year review.
Forty years ago (1979), Fela sang a song titled ViP. For the ordinary person, the acronym translates to ‘Very Important Person.’ But not for Fela who serenaded Nigeria and the world with that song, he called it: ‘Vagabonds in Power.’ Vagabonds in Power wasn’t a euphemism. It was Fela’s choice and direct way to describe the magnitude of abuse of power, disappointment and impunity that was taking place in Nigeria especially with those in positions of power. Across the world today, there is no shortage of such vagabonds in power. In my quiet solitude, I have often wondered what and how Fela would describe the present global ecosystem, and more importantly, today’s Nigeria.
This week, world leaders gathered in New York for the 80th celebration of the United Nations in the hallowed chambers of the General Assembly with 193 Member States, including the ‘Holy See’ with its Observer Status.
Several marked issues dominated this gathering. Undoubtedly, chief amongst the issues was that, the representative of Palestine addressed the Assembly via satellite from Geneva.
Additional history recorded, was the fact that 150 Member States recognize the ‘State of Palestine’ and call for a ‘Two-State’ solution. Only time can tell whether that translates into reality or not. Yet this must be seen as a gentle, yet hopeful reminder as highlighted by the 2021 Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa, that, despite impunity, international law does, and can advance.
UNGA@80 has been described by many as ‘consequential’ and rightly so. By all accounts, it should be a milestone. Yet, this milestone that ought to have been celebrated is overshadowed by unprecedented and multifaceted crises around the world – mostly created by human beings or in the usual lingo – man-made. Crises that will hinder the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Overall, the existential crises confronting the world is real, and not happening in a vacuum. At the core of this is the surge in socioeconomic and political inequalities and inequities, exclusion and marginalization, violation of rights of children and other vulnerable groups, migration and the challenge of internally displaced persons (IDPs), attacks on press freedom, climate change, trade imbalances, cost of borrowing and interest rates from the Bretton Wood institutions, etc. As if these were not enough challenges, the world has more conflicts now than it has had since World War II.
In dealing with these, the UN, very often, has found itself caught between the rock and a hard place – from adopting policies and normative frameworks to guide negotiations, demanding a ceasefire in order to save lives and property, urgent call for development of vaccines to stem an epidemic, and directing sanctions against erring Member States. Its attempts have not always been successful.
For its failures (even without viable alternative), many have called for the organization to be disbanded. Whilst the UN has had many missed opportunities, and will benefit from genuine reforms particularly on issues that threaten its legitimacy and credibility, this writer is of the opinion that, in the face of global existential crises, to eliminate the only platform (with its imperfections) for negotiating differences and promoting cooperation will be to leave the world to the whims and caprices of these ‘vagabonds in power,’ whose actions cannot be predicted nor controlled.
What I know for sure is, if Fela Anikulakpo Kuti lived in these times, he would have had one word to describe current global happenings – ‘vagabonds in power (ViPs).’ A cruise from the East through the Middle to the West, presents a grave picture of ‘ViPs’. Northern VIPs as if missing ‘party favours’ fly across to reach the South with a lightning speed that could make NASA rebuild its rockets. .
In the context of the UN (in particular UNGA@80), multilateralism and foreign policy, VIP as reiterated by many world leaders signifies: Values, Interests, and Power. In a nutshell, this encapsulates what the UN ought to stand for, what nations do and set out to accomplish at the UN, and how nations set out to secure these accomplishments within established values. It is within the ambit of these issues – Values, Interests and Power that I will review UN@80.
Values: these represent the norms, ethics, rules, regulations and obligations enshrined in the UN Charter including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent frameworks and resolutions. It should be a sacred document that guarantees equality and freedom to all.
Interests: it is the ‘goods and benefits’ which individual nations bring to the table, and or seek to achieve through negotiations. Usually, this takes place at the General Assembly.
Power: it is the strength and leverage that nations wield in negotiating or dealing with other nations. Presently, it would be right to state that, this takes place in the Security Council, where the balance of power (with the existence of the Permanent Members known as the P5 armed with Veto Power) remains a contentious issue among Member States of the UN.
Within these three above, the real challenge lies in how power is used, whether for personal aggrandizement, weaponized to control, dominate and violate, or balanced whilst representing, respecting values and norms. This is what Fela eloquently sang about in that song. It was a call for those in power at all levels (particularly the government) to refrain from violating human rights, but focus on respecting fundamental human rights and the values that bind our shared humanity. With the Veto power enjoyed only by five Member States, power is not balanced.
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So, the imbalance of power continues to influence and act as a driving force to the myriad of challenges confronting the UN. In fact, many argue that the power imbalance is at the heart of global crises – threatening the credibility and legitimacy of the organization.
Much so that, in some cases, the UN is accused of duplicity, complicity, and referred to as a ‘toothless bulldog.’ Consequently, many hold the view that the UN has either outlived its usefulness, or does not live up to its obligations, therefore it should be disbanded.
However, with the magnitude of challenges and the growing number of Vagabonds in Power and their excesses around the world, the UN has, though not in all cases, managed to intervene and stem the tide of violation, and address humanitarian suffering where needed. Its effort have not and may never be perfect, but, it has been useful.
As noted by many world leaders, the world stands on the brink of a precipice, grappling with challenges that test the very foundations of multilateralism and international cooperation.
From the faltering progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the worsening effects of climate change, from persistent and complex conflicts — stretching from Myanmar to Haiti, Sudan to Afghanistan, Ukraine to Russia — to what many now refer to as the “grandmother of all conflicts”: the crisis in Gaza, there is a great need for a negotiation platform with necessary reforms.
For many, especially those who served in conflict and post-conflicts regions from Vukovar (Serbo-Croat-Muslim war) to Bosnia; to the genocide of Rwanda that claimed over a million lives; to the Far East territory of Timor with untold hardships; to the civilian-led negotiations of Papua New Guinea; Fiji Islands, and the barbaric “short and long sleeves” suffered by child soldiers in Sierra Leone and Liberia; and the rape of women, girls and the elderly in Haiti, Congo, DRC, or the almost forgotten excesses of soldiers in Somali, the world sure feels like hell.
And, as one of UN’s finest Secretary Generals – Dag Hammarskjöld noted, “The UN was created not to take humanity to heaven, but to save it from going to hell.”
So, to those who call for the disbandment of the UN, I ask, what better alternative do you have? To leave the world in the hands of the ‘vagabonds in power,’ whose sole intention is to commit the same atrocities that led us to the World Wars, will mean leaving the world and its people in a cacophony of hopelessness. At the very least, let’s work to save the world from going to hell.
Yes, more than any time in history, the UN is fraught with unimaginable challenges, some of which this write up will outline and examine. Despite these challenges, this writer is of the view that the essential work of the UN with recorded successes and failures, far outweigh its imperfections. Indeed, the UN remains the only viable platform for nations and people to negotiate through their interests and grievances. And the world needs that platform to negotiate in order to stop differences from escalating into wars. As Winston Churchill noted, “To jaw jaw is better than to war war.”
Thus, the necessity of the UN cannot be overemphasized. As many have reminded us, there are more active armed conflicts in the world than at any time since the end of the Second World War. This is not just a moment of crisis; it is a test of our collective will and capacity to respond. It is a time the world needs the UN more. Could anyone imagine the world with these conflicts without a platform to negotiate? Personally, I would not want my imagination to run on that course.
Multilateralism: Built on Values, Interests, and Power
Several heads of government and representatives summarized the purpose of multilateralism. One of the best summaries was offered by the Representative of Finland in three words: Values, Interests, and Power. He surmised (I agree with his sentiments), while interests may differ, and power is unequally distributed between small and large nations, between superpowers and those with lesser influence, the values enshrined in the UN Charter must remain constant. These shared values form the moral and legal foundation of the United Nations. It is what gives the UN its legitimacy, and its absence threatens its credibility.
Thus, when member states abuse power – through aggression, military expansionism, or territorial annexation as we are witnessing in Ukraine and elsewhere, they undermine not only international peace, but the credibility and legitimacy of the UN. The world cannot afford a return to the geopolitical dynamics that precipitated the world wars. Every effort must be made to respect the values enshrined in the UN charter.
The UN at a precipice: Reform is no longer optional
It is no exaggeration to say that the UN stands on the brink of a precipice. Many leaders, diplomats, and analysts have warned that the world is closer to systemic collapse now more than at any time in recent history. If we are to avoid a global catastrophe, we must strengthen early warning systems, improve conflict prevention mechanisms, and eliminate the scourge of proxy war, and abolish or expand the ‘Veto Power.’ Indeed, studies have shown that prevention is more cost effective than engaging in post-conflict reconstruction. Countries must not be turned into battlegrounds for competing powers.
I will say it again, despite its flaws and limitations, the need for the United Nations has never been more urgent. As someone with first-hand experience, I know it is easy to criticize the UN, its bureaucracy, inertia, duplicity, and lack of consistency. Yet, even with its imperfections, the UN has recorded many success stories, and so long as there is no real or better alternative, to disband the UN in the face of rising vagabonds in power will have dire consequences. .
As a committed globalist, I cannot imagine a world without the UN — a platform where nations, despite their differences, come together to deliberate on global threats, however imperfectly.
Imagine a world where no such platform existed — where global power was dictated solely by military might, economic coercion, strategic alliances, or transactional politics and policies as we are witnessing. Imagine a world with no humanitarian support during and in the aftermath of conflicts, no agreed universal framework for human rights, chaos will reign supreme.
The UN must not allow a repeat of 1936 that forced Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia to make that famous address to the League of Nations, where Haile Selassie asked, “…Should it happen that a strong Government finds it may with impunity destroy a weak people, then the hour strikes for that weak people to appeal to the League of Nations to give its judgment in all freedom. God and history will remember your judgment.” Never Again!
Such a world as it was then when Selassie made that impassioned plea to the League of Nations will not be a world of order, but a world where the rule of law is replaced by might is right. So, to dissenters, I say, unless and until there is a viable alternative, the UN still matters.
A new world order demands equitable representation
A new world is emerging — one in which countries of the Global South are asserting their agency and demanding fundamental rights, equal representation, economic justice, and respect for sovereignty. The demand for UN Security Council reform is no longer a matter of debate or optional, it is a matter of urgency.
Proposals have included expanding permanent membership to include two African countries with veto power, two seats for Asia with veto power, and one seat for Latin America, also with veto power.
These suggestions, while ambitious, reflect a growing consensus that the current structure is outdated, unrepresentative, and unjust, and do not reflect global realities. Indeed, more than any issue, this imbalance threatens the legitimacy and credibility of the UN. As of necessity, the UN must reform – through agreed paradigm shift that recognizes the needs and realities of the global ecosystem and world order. Only if it does so, will it find acceptance and grace in its duties to the global community.
Africa’s role in shaping the future – Nigeria?
As expected, several African leaders contributed to the global discourse. For me, outstanding among these are the contributions of the President of Kenya – William Ruto, Cyril Ramaphosa – South Africa, and the President of Sierra Leone.
While William Ruto demanded the long over-due seat for Africa on the Security Council, Cyril Ramaphosa, fearlessly opined that some countries were willfully undermining the real relevance of the UN and the multiple processes she uses to pursue these objectives.
Furthermore, Ramaphosa – was perhaps (beside Cuba) to demand that the UN pushes for the lifting of economic embargo against Cuba, which was destroying lives and livelihoods in Cuba. He also called for the prohibition of nuclear weapons, its proliferation and actions. As one of the most progressive nations in Africa and the world, he spoke to the importance of women’s empowerment as provided by the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA), and urged Member States to fulfill the BPfA commitments. Indeed, Ramaphosa received applause when he announced that South Africa stands ready to support the election of the first female Secretary General at the UN. His, and that of William Ruto of Kenya, was fearless, strategic and, a call for urgent action.
Nigeria’s Vice President Kassim Shettima in his speech, listed 4 issues a) Debt Relief for developing countries, b) Minerals must benefit host countries, c) a close on digital divide, and directly spoke for a seat on the Security Council for Nigeria. While there is consensus for Security Council, it is this writer’s opinion that the most strategic way to securing this would be through collective action. He secured applause from the room when he informed the Assembly that Nigeria, in its efforts to promote international peace, had served in 51 out of 60 UN peace keeping missions. It is my hope that Nigeria can leverage this factor and assert itself in the leadership of peacekeeping beyond Africa. There were others who spoke powerfully, I did not listen to all African leaders.
The consensus deduced from many of the presentations is an acknowledgment of Africa’s strategic pivot toward the East — through partnerships with BRICS or bilateral agreements with emerging powers including China and India — a clear signal of shifting global dynamics.
In making this shift, African countries appear to be sending a clear signal to the world, that, it will no long remain passive – waiting for crumbs in the guise of assistance or ‘AID.’ Rather, Africa stands ready to take control of its resources, its human capital and the future of the continent.
By its actions, Africa is reminding the world that the continent with its resources, human and material, has agency that can no longer wait to be discovered. Instead, Africa will align and leverage continental frameworks, vision, and agencies to build partnerships and synergies based on mutual values and respect.
Thirdly, Africa’s action is a restrained yet deliberate acknowledgement of a growing demographic that is poised to challenge the present narrative, as well as transform Africa into the “Future We Want.”
The burning question is, where is Nigeria and the Tinubu-led administration in this Africa move? This writer wonders what its foreign policy entails. For a country that previously commanded respect in commissions, committees, institutional and interagency groups including the C34 that deals with ‘international peacekeeping,’ Nigeria’s current attitude to geopolitics is worrisome.
In this context, initiatives like the Ezulwini Consensus, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 provide a blueprint for Africa’s role in the evolving international system. These are not just policies; they are declarations of intent for a continent that is determined to claim its place at the global table. Africa is on a new drive with purposeful drivers!
It is my hope that this time, Africa can get it right, and that Nigeria can find the leadership and vision that will place her squarely at the forefront of this new drive.
Allow me to digress and share the speech of the Prime Minister of Barbados, which is always exceptional. PM Mia Mottley begun by reminding the Assembly that the world is increasingly confronted with varying forms of crisis, financial, Covid19 pandemic, social – exposed in the rise of drugs, mental health, homelessness, or human trafficking. But, to the PM, the greatest crisis confronting the global ecosystem is the crisis of “Truth”, which manifests as ‘political tribalism, and encourages us to develop ‘alternative realities.’
This political tribalism she noted, is supported by the rise of fake news, which distorts reality and creates a platform for hate to thrive and prejudice to rise.
As I heard those words, again, I recalled my recommendation to the Nigerian appointed official, who chose to spread hate through a digital platform. I can safely conclude, as indicated, she will benefit from a lesson on global geopolitics.
Leadership in difficult times – A personal note
The UN has been led by many distinguished Secretaries-General — from Dag Hammarskjöld to Pérez de Cuéllar, Boutros Boutros Ghali, Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-moon, and others. Each brought unique strengths to the role, navigating the global contexts.
Yet none has faced a more complex and dangerous global environment than António Guterres – the present Secretary General. From the COVID-19 pandemic to the Ukraine war, and the ‘grandmother’ of all conflicts in the Gaza corridor, from climate breakdown, trade imbalances, to a collapse in global trust, Guterres has shown remarkable moral clarity, tenacity, resilience, and diplomacy even in the face of terrible provocation. In my view, this makes him one of the most consequential Secretaries-General in UN history.
Conclusion
In conclusion, let me reiterate, the UN is an imperfect animal. The calls for reform in several areas especially in the area of ‘balancing power for representation’, respect for fundamental values and freedoms of its charter by all members, respect for international law and frameworks including UN resolutions, rejection of the principle of ‘might is right,’ fair and equal distribution of resources to enable the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), zero tolerance for sexual and gender based violations, zero tolerance for impunity, and the urgent need to address climate change, etc., is appropriate, and requires urgent action. Subsequently, there is consensus that the UN is a necessary institution whose effectiveness will improve through agreed reform.
Let me reiterate, that, in the face of existential crises in the world, to eliminate the only platform (yes with imperfections) for negotiating differences and promoting cooperation will be to leave the world to the whims and caprices of the ‘vagabonds in power’, whose unpredictable and uncontrollable actions may leave irreversible consequences. In this regard, Nigeria is an eloquent yet shameful testimony.
In the final analysis, what I know for sure is, to eliminate the UN at this time will mean leaving the world and its people in a cacophony of hopelessness. At the very least, let’s work to save the world from going to hell.
Epilogue
I could not end this piece without sharing one of the most powerful and insightful speeches made at UNGA@80. This was the speech made by the Filipino Journalist Maria Ressa, who is also the 2021 Nobel Laureate. While I will recreate some of her words, I have provided a link to the full speech below.
In addressing UNGA@80, Ms. Ressa, reminded the group that, “The UN was created to prevent humanity from destroying itself….A lot has changed since the UN was established over 80 years ago. But, its values, peace, human rights, the rule of law, justice – these are more essential today than ever. It is time to create again, build better, together. Please act now before it’s too late.
“Today, we stand to rebuild, when similar forces that led to those atrocities of the World Wars are now surging through digital platforms, insidiously manipulating us for power and profit. The biggest battle we face today is impunity and it leads to our dehumanization in both physical and wars raging from Ukraine to Gaza, and in the virtual world where our minds and emotions are manipulated by surveillance capitalism for profit…To fight that, we need information integrity to remind us to be human. I became a journalist because information is power… this is the deadliest period in history for journalists, 240 killed so far in Gaza – it is unprecedented, they are targeted, and there must be accountability.
“We are living through an information ‘Armageddon’, where, according to an MIT 2018 Study, lies spread six times faster than facts on social media. With generative AI, this is much worse now. And, to repeat the three censors I have advocated, without facts, there is no truth, without truth, there is no trust, and without these three, we have no shared reality, therefore, cannot solve the existential threats confronting us all. This means, there will be no journalism, electoral integrity and democracy.
“Algorithms reward outrage over empathy, spreading fear, anger, hate, pumping us full of toxic sludge. Regulating technology isn’t a free speech issue, it is about public safety. As it has been proven time and again, online violence is real world violence. The time to act is now.” For the full speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_4FDD7r1gs
