Sierra Leone: UN Reform to Give Africa Equal Say

President of Sierra Leone is calling for “urgent and imperative” reform of U.N. Security Council to give more representation and “an equal say” to Africa in international decision making. Julius Maa Bio said in his speech Thursday at United Nations General Assembly that “Africa’s patience has been tested” and re’s an urgent need for African representation.

Africa does t have a permanent seat on council and for deces re have been calls to expand U.N.’s most powerful body. It currently has 10 members elected for two-year terms and five permanent members — United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France. Competing national and regional interests have so far prevented council reform. Sierra Leone president says reform must deal with “longstanding injustice and imbalance.”

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Peace talks

president of Cyprus is using his dress before United Nations to once again to accuse Turkey of undermining recent peace talks with, among or things, its “illegal military occupation” and drilling for gas in waters where Cyprus has exclusive ecomic rights.

two nations have been at odds since 1974, when Turkey inved following a coup by supporters of union with Greece, splitting country along ethnic lines. Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and keeps more than 35,000 troops in breakaway rth.

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Since n, numerous rounds of peace talks have gone where and President Nicos Anastasies has blamed Turkey by imposing unacceptable terms. “se developments make role of UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus and fulfillment of its mandate more necessary than ever,” Anasties said Thursday.

Israeli-Palestinian conflict, threat posed by Iran and Britain’s fraught exit from European Union are likely topics as world leers gar for third day of speeches at United Nations on Thursday. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and diplomats from Israel and Saudi Arabia, which blames Tehran for an attack on its key oil sites, are expected to push ir causes. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has scheduled a news conference for Thursday.

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