This month of March 2007 South Africa assumes the presidency of the United Nations Security Council. During this month, the Council will address and discuss, among others, issues, questions and situations in the following countries and regions: Afghanistan, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Iran (nuclear proliferation), Iraq, Kosovo, Liberia, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan (particularly the Darfur issue as well as the eventuality of sanctions), the Great Lakes region, cross-border issues in West Africa, as well as UN missions/operations (the mandate of some UN missions has to be extended and the UN Secretary-General is expected to report on some situations) in some of these countries.

Three African countries are currently non-permanent members of the UN Security Council: Congo and Ghana (until 31 December 2007) and South Africa (until 31 DEcember 2008).

Source: Programme of work of the Security Council for the month of March 2007