By John Smith, World News Editor
Cairo, Egypt (Somalistandard) – Russia has assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council for April 2023, despite Ukraine’s efforts to block the move.
The presidency of the council rotates every month among the 15 members, with each member taking a turn. The last time Russia held the presidency was in February 2022, when it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The move means that the Security Council is now being led by a country whose president, Vladimir Putin, is facing an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes. The International Criminal Court issued the warrant last month.
Although the ICC is not a UN institution, the warrant adds to the controversy surrounding Russia’s presidency of the council.
Ukraine had urged other members of the council to block Russia from taking the presidency, but the United States, a permanent council member, said it could not do so.
The other permanent members of the council are the UK, France, and China. While the presidency is mostly a procedural role, Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzia, has stated that he plans to oversee several debates during his term, including one on arms control.
The decision to allow Russia to assume the presidency has been criticized by some, who argue that it sends the wrong message to the world. Others have expressed concerns that Russia may use its position to further its own interests and undermine the council’s credibility.
The Security Council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, and its decisions are binding on all UN member states. Russia’s presidency comes at a time of heightened tensions between Moscow and the West, and many will be watching closely to see how Russia uses its position in the coming weeks.
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