South Africa re-joins UN Security Council

South Africa is returning to the United Nations Security Council.

In an election in New York it won an overwhelming majority to be
granted a two-year non permanent position on the 15 member Council.

It's the third time South Africa has sat on the world's premiere body
of peace and security in 12 years.

Nick Harper reports from New York.

IN: "A foregone.."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 2:12

SABC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/0608unsc-elex-pkg-nh-sabc.mp3

natsound - clapping

TAKE VO - GA celebrations
A foregone conclusion but still reason to celebrate.
natsound - clapping
The result was expected - it was more of a case of how many votes
South Africa would get.
TAKE VO - voting
Out of 190 UN members voting it achieved 183, well clear of the two
thirds majority required to win the seat.


TAKE VO - Sisulu stakeout
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu
was at the UN for the election.

SOT - Lindiwe Sisulu, South African Minister of International
Relations and Cooperation
"We are honoured and humbled with this gesture and confidence. Our
tenure at the Security Council will be dedicated to the legacy Nelson
Mandela our icon and his commitment to peace. // South Africa will use
this tenure in the Security Council to promote the maintenance of
international peace and security through advocating for peaceful
settlements and inclusive dialogue."

TAKE VO
But South Africa enters a deeply divided Council, especially on issues
like Syria's civil war and the Israel-Palestinian situation.
On the African continent protracted conflicts continue in South Sudan
and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Problems Pretoria is keen to
address during its time on the Council.

SOT - Lindiwe Sisulu, South African Minister of International
Relations and Cooperation
"We are guided by the resolution of the AU that we should silence guns
by 2020. Only when we have peace and a culture of peace can we have a
culture of sustainable development. And we in Africa need that most."

TAKE VO - reception
Ahead of the vote South Africa held a reception as a last-minute push
to garner support.
There was clearly enough to achieve this non-permanent position.
But South Africa wants more - to create a permanent position for an
African nation, a role it says it's ready to fill.

Standup - Nick Harper, New York
The result was never really in doubt and now South Africa can begin
the work to rejoin the Security Council for the third time in just
over a decade. It takes up that position from January the 1st next
year.
Nick Harper, SABC News, New York


ENDS