Mogomotsi Magome, Associated Press
African leaders attending the U.N. General Assembly are calling for reforms to the Security Council that would grant permanent seats to countries from the continent. This demand reflects ongoing concerns about Africa's lack of representation in the Council, which is seen as critical for addressing global security issues affecting African nations.
The 15-member Security Council currently has five permanent members: the United States, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, and China, all of which hold veto power. Other nations, which do not have veto power, are elected by the General Assembly to serve non-permanent terms of two years. Africa currently holds three of these non-permanent seats.
African leaders have emphasized the urgency of their demands in light of current global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and tensions involving the U.S. and Iran. They argue that the lack of permanent representation undermines the credibility of the Security Council and its commitment to multilateralism.
Kenyan President William Ruto stated, "Every nation is sovereign and equal under the (U.N.) charter. Yet, on the gravest question of war and peace, five nations possess a permanent power that the other 188 do not." Ethiopia's President Taye Atske Selassie questioned the justification for denying equal representation to 1.6 billion Africans.
In 2024, the U.S. indicated it would support the addition of two permanent seats for African countries, a stance taken during former President Joe Biden's administration. Liberia's President Joseph Nyuma Boakai remarked that the historical imbalance in representation is no longer acceptable, stating, "It is necessary to restore United Nations trust, credibility and legitimacy."
As discussions at the General Assembly also focus on artificial intelligence, African leaders are advocating for inclusion in decision-making processes regarding the technology, which they believe will significantly impact developing nations. Botswana President Duma Boko highlighted the importance of developing countries having a voice in establishing standards for technology that affects their populations.
Most leaders are adhering to the African Union's position, established in 2005, which calls for at least two permanent seats on the Security Council. Namibia's President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah stated, "The time has come for us to recognize that we have been negotiating for too long." Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud added that reform is essential for maintaining the legitimacy and effectiveness of the United Nations.