New dynamics

Mozambique to join UN Security Council amid Russian overtures

By Julian Pecquet

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Posted on June 10, 2022 13:19

UN General Assembly Mozambique
Filipe Nyusi, President of Mozambique, addresses the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, at the United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Mozambique is joining the United Nations Security Council for the first time, bringing renewed attention to terrorism and climate change while adding a potential Russian ally to the divided world body.

All 192 UN member states present for the 9 June session voted to admit Mozambique for the 2023-2024 term after the African Union selected the Southern African nation to replace Kenya at the end of the year. Also joining the council on 1 January are Ecuador, Japan, Malta and Switzerland.

Maputo is expected to make terrorism a key focus of its two-year term, having battled an Islamist insurgency in its far northern province of Cabo Delgado since 2017. Mozambique is also one of the African countries most exposed to the risks of climate change and regular floods, drought and tropical storms.

According to the Security Council Report, a specialised publication covering the UN, its other thematic priorities include “small arms and light weapons; women, peace and security; children and armed conflict; human rights; and humanitarian action. It is also interested in exploring the links among

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