Chidzero, down but not out

Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister, Bernard Chidzero, may have lost the post of secretary-general for the United Nations but the international community has not yet completely forgotten about him.

This seems to suggest that the international community, which groomed Chidzero as one of its diplomats when he was still with the United Nations, may not trust him to lead the organisation but he is still good enough for the smaller jobs.

Chidzero is the only African in a newly appointed 28-member commission which is studying how to reform the United Nations. The world body has been hampered from carrying out its duties of promoting international peace, security and cooperation.

During the cold war years it found itself increasingly wedged between capitalism and socialism. Today, with the United states dominating the world body, the UN has to map out a new role or lose its credibility just like the other international institutions which are now almost like arms of the United States government pandering to its whims.

The commission is chaired by former Swedish Prime Minister, Ingvar Carlsson and former Commonwealth Secretary general, Sir Shridath Ramphal. It is expected to write its report in 1994 to mark the world body’s 50th anniversary.

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