South Africa Slams Powerless UN as Democracy Faces Global Strain

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa urged the United Nations to reassert itself in global affairs to safeguard democracy that’s under threat from resurgent nationalism, conflict and widening inequality.

Ramaphosa’s remarks highlight a broader push by emerging economies to challenge what they see as selective enforcement of global rules by major powers. Fellow BRICS members Brazil and India have repeatedly called for reform of the UN, while China has previously accused the US and other western nations of applying double standards to international law.