UN Council gets five

UN Council gets five
Press Trust of India

United Nations, Jan 1: Singapore, Mauritius, Colombia, Ireland and Norway joined the 15-member UN Security Council today to begin a two-year term as non-permanent members.

They replace Malaysia, Namibia, Argentina, Netherlands and Canada.

Singapore will occupy the seat of presidium this month, taking over from Russia.

The presidency rotates among the members every month based on alphabetical order.

UN Security Council, the most powerful and executive organ of the world body, created to safeguard global peace and order, has five permanent members who have veto that can stall any decision from being translated into action. It has 10 non-permanent members selected on a regional basis and five of them retire every year paving way for new ones.

The election for the seat for Africa this time saw an intense battle with Mauritius coming out winner after a determined US campaign to stop entry of Sudan, despite the latter garnering support from the Group of African States.

Washington accuses Sudan of sponsoring terrorism and had even bombed its establishments with cruise missiles charging them to be centre of weapons manufacture for terrorist attacks.

The Council now comprises the US, Britain, Russia, France, China (all permanent members), Bangladesh, Jamaica, Mali, Tunisia, Ukraine, Mauritius, Colombia, Singapore, Ireland and Norway.