RPT: ANALYSIS - Erdogan's UN Criticism Meant For Home Consumption But Others Will Listen
Faizan Hashmi Published October 21, 2021 | 10:50 AM
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st October, 2021) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used home media attention to his Africa trip this week to again call for a more inclusive UN Security Council, in what experts say is a popularity stunt that will in all likelihood resonate with African nations.
The 15-member council is the only UN body that can make legally binding decisions, with five permanent members wielding veto powers � Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Erdogan has long argued that the "world is bigger than five." He says the core UN body should be expanded to better represent the global Muslim population, for which he appears to feel responsible, as well as large portions of the world, including Africa, Gareth Jenkins, of the Stockholm-based Institute for Security and Development Policy, believes.
"Erdogan frequently uses the argument... without having any concern about who supports his argument. But I can say his argument and critiques are getting on the street of Cairo, Kabul, Algeria and in all Africa," Yousuf Alabarda, a Turkish political expert, told Sputnik.
Alabarda, an Ankara representative of the Turkish national defense magazine M5, said Erdogan offered African economies a level playing field, in a stark contrast to European "colonizers," whom he accused on Monday of ignoring the continent's calls for change.
Birol Baskan, of the Washington-based middle East Institute, agreed that Erdogan was pursuing global ambitions by painting Turkey as the leader of the Muslim world, but he argued that nationalists within the Muslim world were not likely to rally behind him.
"Erdogan's statements are for domestic consumption... Other Islamist movements across the Muslim world might embrace the same view. But nationalists and other political currents in the Muslim world will hardly embrace it," he said.
Jenkins said to Sputnik that there was a growing gap between Erdogan's perception of himself as a world leader and how the world saw him.
"The main reason for Erdogan's statement is that the UN does not pay enough attention to his own views on global events or those of the world's Muslims - of whom he believes he is the global representative," he said.
Erdogan's calls for an expanded UN have gained little traction, Jenkins said, but he too suggested that the president was at least partially motivated by his desire to "halt the seemingly irreversible long-term decline in his popular support by trying to convince Turkish voters that he is able to change the world."
That said, the experts agreed that it was time for the UN to change, provided that the core five are ready to relinquish or dilute the power they possess.
"It is difficult to justify the UK and France being permanent members when the EU, Africa, South America and large areas of Asia are not. But there is a difference between supporting reform of the UN and supporting Erdogan in his attempts to reshape the UN according to his own wishes," Jenkins said.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Journalists call for global action to end Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
CM for generating opportunities to bring direct int'l investment
Pakistan retains position in FTSE secondary emerging market
High Commissioner of Malaysia hosts Iftar dinner reception
NEPRA announces 2nd quarterly adjustment in power bills with Rs 1.68 cut per uni ..
Hoopo Inc. Collaborates with SAU to Install Solar-Powered RO Plant
04 killed in Spain as Storm Nelson looms
Russian military jet crashes into sea off Crimea: Governor
Rain-windstorm/thunderstorm likely at various parts of country
Implementation of Sindh Agriculture Workers Act-2019 demanded
Pandemic accord talks heading for extra time
Khawaja reiterates PM commitment to judiciary
More Stories From World
-
04 killed in Spain as Storm Nelson looms
13 minutes ago -
Russian military jet crashes into sea off Crimea: Governor
19 minutes ago -
Pandemic accord talks heading for extra time
8 minutes ago -
French parliament backs bill against hair discrimination affecting black women
8 minutes ago -
Russia says 'evidence' links Ukraine to Moscow attack
10 minutes ago -
Russian shelling kills three in Ukraine, officials say
19 minutes ago
-
'Several' nations to send soldiers to help secure Paris Olympics: France
8 minutes ago -
France blocks fake Ukraine war recruitment website
9 minutes ago -
New Senegal president's home village full of pride, hope & advice
7 minutes ago -
What do scientists hope to learn from total solar eclipse in US?
7 minutes ago -
Russia says has evidence Moscow attackers were linked to Kyiv
2 hours ago -
Pandemic accord talks heading for extra time
2 hours ago