Ban Ki-Moon visit, time for UN to change tack

In his own words, the United Nations Secretary General captures the mood among citizens of the world regarding the role the world body should play in their lives. He has spoken of the need to reform the UN, into a body which is “effective, efficient, coherent and accountable”. Four simple words that have stood between the world body and those it is meant to serve, denying it their - respect and confidence. This makes Ban’s vision during his term of office important, in building the confidence that is needed in the UN system, to whom citizens of the world from all walks of life look up for reprieve for their different grievances; ranging from extreme poverty to the most devastating conflicts. A new brand of the UN should inform Ban’s current diplomatic offensive in particular to Africa’s conflict zones, where none of the above set out points seem to have taken root. Put simply, the UN here is in a credibility crisis.