United Nations Security Council Resolution 439 Explained

Number:439
Organ:SC
Date:13 November
Year:1978
Meeting:2,098
Code:S/RES/439
Document:https://undocs.org/S/RES/439(1978)
For:10
Abstention:5
Against:0
Subject:Namibia
Result:Adopted

United Nations Security Council Resolution 439, adopted on November 13, 1978, after recalling resolutions 385 (1976), 431 (1978), 432 (1978) and 435 (1978), the Council condemned South Africa for its decision to proceed unilaterally with elections in Namibia in contravention of previous resolutions. The Council considered this a clear defiance of the authority of the United Nations.

Resolution 439 continued by stating that the results of elections held in South West Africa will be declared null and void and will not be recognised by the United Nations or any of its Member States. The Council demanded that South Africa cooperate with it and if not, will consider further action under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter so as to ensure South Africa's compliance with the Security Council. The resolution also required the Secretary-General to report on the progress of the implementation of the resolution by November 25, 1978.

The resolution passed with 10 votes to none, while Canada, France, West Germany, the United Kingdom and United States abstained from voting.

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