British govt says it backs proposal to expand UN Security Council to include Africa

CAPE TOWN - Britain’s new Labour government says it continues to be in support of a proposal to expand the United Nations Security Council to include Africa. 

It’s a position the South African government has been pushing for a number of years. 

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Tuesday gave South Africa his government’s full support for the campaign at a meeting with International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola in Cape Town.

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Lammy said the United Kingdom had never been opposed to expanding the UN Security Council beyond its five permanent members, who also hold veto powers. 

Under a new Labour government, that position, Lammy said, remains unchanged.

"I'm keen to better understand if the recent position is supported by other members of the security council, particularly Russia and China, that have been a block on the UN Security Council expansion in the past."

Lammy said the UK was concerned about the support North Korea would give to Russia to continue its war in Ukraine. 

But Lamola said South Africa would continue to push for Russia to join the next round of peace talks. 

"Of course, we don't know yet what will be the response of Moscow to that. We intend to further communicate with them to convey that."

Lamola said he believes South Africa’s non-aligned position would allow it to act as a bridge to facilitate the peace process.