United Nations Security Council Election 2012: New Non-Permanent Members
On 18 October 2012, during the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, member states convened to elect five new non-permanent members to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). These elections were held to fill vacancies left by countries whose two-year mandates had expired, ensuring the continued rotation of global representation in the UN's primary body for maintaining international peace and security.
The successful candidates—Argentina, Australia, Luxembourg, the Republic of Korea, and Rwanda—were elected to serve terms commencing on 1 January 2013 and ending on 31 December 2014. Notably, this election marked the first time Luxembourg was elected to a seat on the Council.
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Key Facts
- Election Date: 18 October 2012.
- Term Duration: Two years (1 January 2013 to 31 December 2014).
- Elected Members: Argentina, Australia, Luxembourg, Republic of Korea, and Rwanda.
- Voting Body: The United Nations General Assembly.
- Regional Allocation: Seats were distributed across the African, Asia-Pacific, Latin American and Caribbean, and Western European and Others groups.
The Rotation System and Regional Allocation
To ensure equitable global representation, the ten non-permanent seats on the UNSC rotate among specific regional blocs. These blocs are traditional divisions used by UN member states for voting and representation purposes. For the 2012 election, the five available seats were allocated as follows:
- African Group: One seat (replacing South Africa).
- Asia-Pacific Group: One seat (replacing India).
- Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC): One seat (replacing Colombia).
- Western European and Others Group (WEOG): Two seats (replacing Germany and Portugal).
Candidates and Election Results
The election process involved multiple rounds of voting to reach the required majority. While Argentina, Australia, and Rwanda secured their seats in the first round, the Republic of Korea and Luxembourg required a second round of voting to be confirmed.
Voting Breakdown by Region
In the Asia-Pacific Group, the Republic of Korea eventually defeated Cambodia and Bhutan. In the Western European and Others Group, Luxembourg and Australia emerged victorious over Finland. Argentina ran virtually unopposed in the Latin American and Caribbean Group, and Rwanda was the sole candidate for the African Group.
| Regional Group | Elected Member | Outgoing Member | Round Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| African Group | Rwanda | South Africa | 1st Round |
| Asia-Pacific Group | Republic of Korea | India | 2nd Round |
| Latin American and Caribbean (GRULAC) | Argentina | Colombia | 1st Round |
| Western European and Others (WEOG) | Australia | Germany | 1st Round |
| Western European and Others (WEOG) | Luxembourg | Portugal | 2nd Round |
The Rwanda Controversy
The election of Rwanda was preceded by significant diplomatic tension. The representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) formally objected to Rwanda's candidacy, labeling the country an "oasis for criminals" operating in the eastern DRC.
This objection was bolstered by a leaked confidential UN report. The document alleged that Rwandan officials provided strategic planning and military support to M23 rebels, violating arms embargos and facilitating the desertion of Congolese army (FARDC) soldiers. In response, Rwandan UN representative Olivier Nduhungire dismissed the report as baseless and lacking credibility, asserting that the General Assembly was well aware of Rwanda's actual record.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the elected members' terms begin?
The mandates for the five elected members began on 1 January 2013 and lasted until 31 December 2014.
Which country was elected to the Security Council for the first time in 2012?
Luxembourg was elected as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the first time during this election.
How are non-permanent seats allocated on the UN Security Council?
Seats are allocated based on rotation rules among regional blocs: the African Group, the Asia-Pacific Group, the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC), and the Western European and Others Group (WEOG).
Why was Rwanda's candidacy controversial?
Rwanda's candidacy was challenged by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which cited a leaked UN report alleging Rwandan military support for M23 rebels in the eastern DRC.
How many rounds of voting were required for the 2012 election?
Two rounds of voting were required. Argentina, Australia, and Rwanda were elected in the first round, while the Republic of Korea and Luxembourg were elected in the second.