Robert MUGABE spoke his spirited guts : “For how long, Mr President, will the international community continue to ignore the aspirations of a whole continent of 54 countries?”

"It behooves us all, therefore, to take the necessary steps to ensure that the United Nations is not marginalized on international issues. Equally important, the United Nations must in future never allow itself to be abused by any member state or group of States that seeks to achieve parochial partisan goals.  The Charter of the United Nations clearly stipulates it as an international body that should work for the good of all the peoples of the world.

The increasing trend by the NATO States inspired by the arrogant belief that they are the most powerful among us, which has demonstrated itself through their recent resort to unilateralism and military hegemony in Libya, is the very antithesis of the basic principles of the United Nations. In that case, of Libya, the African Union and its peace-making role was defied, ignored and humiliated. May we urge the international community to collectively rip this dangerous and unwelcome aggressive development before it festers.

We have been seized with the debate on the reform of the Security Council for far too long (...) Zimbabwe stands by Africa's demand for two permanent seats complete with a veto, if the veto is to be retained, plus two additional non-permanent seats, as clearly articulated in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. For how long, Mr President, will the international community continue to ignore the aspirations of a whole continent of 54 countries? We shall not be bought-off with empty promises, nor shall we accept some cosmetic tinkering of the Security Council disguised as reform. It is indeed a travesty of justice that the African continent, which accounts for almost a third of the membership represented in this august Assembly, has no permanent representation in the Security Council. Is this good governance? Is this democracy? And, is this justice?"

Full statement transcript, by his Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe during the general debate of the 67th session of the united nations general assembly in New York, September 26, 2012.