UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for Africa to be granted a permanent seat on the UN Security Council as part of ongoing reforms to address historical injustices.
The Security Council, composed of permanent members China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US, reflects the global power structure of the post-World War II era, when much of Africa was still under colonial rule.
“The world has changed since 1945, but the Council’s composition has not kept pace with these changes,” Guterres remarked.
Currently, the Security Council has five permanent members with veto power and ten non-permanent members, who are selected regionally and lack veto rights. The African Union has long advocated for the continent to have two permanent seats and an additional two non-permanent seats.
The call for reform was supported by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio during a debate convened by his country. He emphasized, “The time for half-measures and incremental progress is over. Africa must be heard, and its demands for justice and equity must be met.”
The Security Council is responsible for key functions such as authorizing peacekeeping operations, imposing international sanctions, and addressing global conflicts.
Guterres, along with other UN officials like General Assembly President Dennis Francis, highlighted that Africa’s significant global role and contribution are not reflected in the Council’s current makeup. “We cannot accept that the world’s preeminent peace and security body lacks a permanent voice for a continent of over a billion people,” Guterres stated.
He pointed out that Africa, while often under-represented in global institutions, is disproportionately affected by the challenges these institutions are meant to address. The continent hosts nearly half of all UN peacekeeping operations and contributes 40% of UN peacekeepers.
Guterres emphasized that reforming the Security Council is not only a matter of justice but also a strategic necessity that could enhance global acceptance of the Council’s decisions, benefiting both Africa and the world.
