UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged for Africa to be granted a permanent seat on the UN Security Council as part of broader reforms aimed at correcting historical injustices. The Security Council, which currently comprises five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US—reflects the global power dynamics of the post-World War Two era when much of Africa was still under colonial rule.
“The world has changed since 1945. But the composition of the Council, despite a few changes, has not kept pace,” Guterres stated, highlighting the need for a more equitable representation.
While the Security Council includes 10 non-permanent members chosen by region, these members lack the veto power held by the permanent members. The African Union has long advocated for two permanent seats for Africa on the Council, along with an additional two non-permanent seats.
Sierra Leone convened a debate on this issue, with President Julius Maada Bio making a compelling case for Africa’s increased representation. “The time for half-measures and incremental progress is over. Africa must be heard, and its demands for justice and equity must be met,” Bio asserted.
The UN Security Council plays a crucial role in authorizing peacekeeping missions, imposing international sanctions, and determining the UN’s response to global conflicts. The call for reform resonates with other UN officials, including Dennis Francis, President of the UN General Assembly. Guterres emphasized that Africa, a continent of over a billion people and a significant contributor to UN peacekeeping efforts, remains under-represented on the Security Council.
“Africa is under-represented at the Security Council and international financial institutions but over-represented in the challenges these structures are meant to address,” Guterres noted. He pointed out that Africa hosts almost half of all UN peacekeeping operations and that 40% of UN peacekeepers are African.
Guterres underscored that reforming the Security Council is not just a matter of ethics but also a strategic necessity. “It is also a strategic imperative that can increase global acceptance of the council’s decisions—benefitting Africa and the world,” he concluded.
The UN, established to prevent future global conflicts after World War Two, initially included only four African nations—Egypt, Liberia, Ethiopia, and South Africa—among its founding members. Guterres’ call for reform reflects a growing recognition of Africa’s pivotal role and the need for its fair representation on the global stage.
