New york: Angola reaffirmed, on Thursday, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, its opposition to unilateral coercive measures, considering that they contravene international law and the principles governing peaceful relations between States. The position was expressed by Angola's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Francisco Jos© da Cruz, during the high-level open debate of the Security Council on "Maintaining International Peace and Security: Defending the principles of the UN Charter and strengthening the UN-centered international system".
According to Angola Press News Agency, the Angolan diplomat stated that the country's position aligns with the guidelines of regional and continental organizations, such as SADC and the African Union, regarding Zimbabwe, as well as with several General Assembly resolutions concerning Cuba. Francisco Jos© da Cruz stressed that respect for the UN Charter and International Law continues to be the basis of the international order and the collective security system. He advocated for the universal application of the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, and peaceful dispute resolution, without selectivity, warning that selective interpretations of international norms weaken trust between states and compromise multilateral cooperation.
The ambassador emphasized the need to prioritize multilateralism over unilateralism, dialogue over confrontation, and collective responsibility over isolated actions. Regarding the strengthening of the international system centered on the UN, he considered that the United Nations must have adequate means to respond to current and emerging challenges while remaining faithful to the organization's founding mandate. He added that all conflicts should be resolved through peaceful means, in accordance with the UN Charter, stressing that no State should illegally interfere in the internal affairs of another sovereign State. He also proposed strengthening accountability mechanisms to ensure that violations of international law do not go unpunished.
Regarding the reform of the Security Council, Francisco Jos© da Cruz reiterated the need for a comprehensive reform aimed at creating a more democratic, representative, and effective global governance structure in responding to the new challenges of international peace and security. The reform should correct the underrepresentation of Africa on the Security Council, considered a matter of historical justice, based on the 2005 Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, which advocate for two permanent and two additional non-permanent seats for the African continent. The Angolan representative also stated that the use of the veto should be guided by responsibility and moderation, especially in situations involving serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights.
He highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation between the permanent and elected members of the Security Council to restore confidence in the effectiveness of that body. Francisco Jos© da Cruz warned of the growing pressure on multilateralism and the challenges faced by international law and humanitarian principles, at a time when the authority of the Security Council and the credibility of the United Nations are being tested. He noted that the security landscape in Africa is becoming increasingly complex due to the actions of non-state armed groups, regional tensions, and humanitarian crises. In this context, he reiterated Angola's commitment to conflict prevention and the promotion of peaceful solutions on the African continent.
On the other hand, he reported that Angola will host an African Union Summit on Peace and Security from August 1 to 2, 2026, at the initiative of the President of the Republic, Joo Louren§o, with the aim of promoting concrete commitments for peace, stability, and sustainable development in Africa. In the final part of his speech, the diplomat reaffirmed that the Charter of the United Nations continues to represent "a common pact for peaceful coexistence among nations," and should guide the collective action of States.
