US officials are betting on incremental rather than drastic regime change in Egypt. The European Union is blowing hot and cold. The AU and the Arab league unsurprisingly are partners in cluelessness Incorporated. But there’s one question that remains unanswered: where exactly is the United Nations?
Was the UN not formed precisely to address situations of this nature? That is, ensure world peace, and, ipso facto confront pharonic-tyrants like Mubarak? Human Rights groups say as many as three hundred people have died so far. So why aren’t Ban Ki Moon and his staff doing more than simply issuing press releases? And equally importantly, why isn’t anyone holding them accountable? Is this asking for too much or am I misunderstanding the organization’s role?
A functional crisis resolution spearheaded by the UN will garnish its reputation, engender respect and give it much needed leverage. Some will say the UN has a non-interventionist role with regard to national sovereignty but rules can be amended. As the world’s leading international actor the UN must do more than meekly engage in mundane diplomatic rhetoric.
Anything less will seemingly validate opinions from American exceptionalists like John Bolton who think the world body is obsolete. Dumisani Kumalo South Africa’s representative to the UN once said of him: "Ambassador Bolton wants to prove nothing works at the United Nations." Bolton must be proved wrong. And there’s not a more opportune moment to do so than now.
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