The sweeping victory of Donald J Trump in the US presidential election marks the beginning of a new era in global politics. Challenging and succeeding a well entrenched political landscape in Washington, DC illustrates commendable acumen. Surely, his opponents and critics may have let their jaws drop for a while. But more importantly, his post-election speeches, social media posts, tweets, phone calls and meetings have shaken and awaken many organisations, nations, leaders and intellectuals around the globe. Those who were dearly accustomed to the status quo are now thoroughly perplexed. Believe it or not, his views have broken the outer crust of the fragile global order that has lasted since the end of World War II.

His courage in highlighting unseen, unspoken and unaddressed portions of the reality in the global political milieu is second to none.

Trump’s recent tweet “The United Nations has such great potential but right now it is just a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time. So sad!” drew my attention and made me think seriously for a while. At the outset, allow me to confess my intimacy with the UN as I have closely understood this noble organisation by serving in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and in the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). With my limited but intense experience in peacekeeping, I hope to establish an equitable connection and flag a thin gap between Trump’s telescopic views on the UN in conjunction with my microscopic understanding of the organisation. After all, an effective and efficient UN is one of the key tools for strengthening the global order.

Hope for hopeless

The foundation stone of the UN was laid in 1945. That stone still reverberates with a collective determination to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”. And that includes President-elect Trump too. I assume he concurs with this truth. But he may be right if he meant “like every other living human, he is also confused whether he is living in the 21st century”. He would be absolutely right if he meant “UN, where is R2P?” Or “World, let’s do something, but collectively!” Otherwise, the UN’s inability to deliver is directly proportionate to the reluctance of the member states to give timely and requisite “ends, ways and means” to the UN.

Unconditionally, I must mention that UN diplomats Dag Hammarskjöld, Sérgio Vieira de Mello and Hédi Annabi sacrificed their precious lives for a noble purpose. They died while maintaining peace in the world far, far away from their country of origin. Adding to the 3,517 peacekeeping fatalities, the UN peacekeeper from South Africa serving in the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo who recently sacrificed his life did not die in vain. All these sacrifices have got supreme significance. They are the selfless “club members” who epitomise the true ideals of the UN while on duty. They obviously “get together, talk and have a good time”, but we all know they were just spreading “hope for hopeless millions”, nothing else.

Foremost prerequisite

Furthermore, I am absolutely sure that the UN consists of diverse people representing every possible caste, colour, creed, region, religion and gender, outstandingly ready to take on any challenge. Therefore, no one can measure and question the depth of the dedication and passion of people serving with the UN. On the flip side, however, the UN is uniquely swamped by member states who can be primarily categorised as ‘decision makers, bill payers and risk takers (or sufferers)’. The 193 member states, their 193 national interests and 193 national caveats emanating from their capitals make each step for the UN time consuming and cumbersome. 

If the UN is to change, a change in the ‘national mentality’ of the member states is the first and foremost prerequisite. Many studies have suggested that the UN needs meaningful reform. It must be given the necessary men, money, materials and mandates if it is to become more efficient. It makes people like me very happy when Trump sees “great potential” in the UN, and we expect his significant and positive role in enhancing it during his tenure. On January 20, Trump will be inaugurated as the 45th president of one of the greatest countries in the world. The whole world wants to see his actions, not words. If he succeeds in translating his slogan “Make America Great Again” into action with a view to “promote global stability, security and prosperity”, the whole world will rejoice in his victory and shall remain in his debt.

Sijapati is a graduate of the Royal College of Defence Studies, London and a former soldier in the Nepal Army