South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has once again highlighted Africa’s call for permanent representation on the UN Security Council (UNSC). He stressed that it is unacceptable for a continent of 1.3 billion people to lack representation.
While speaking to reporters at the Africa Aerospace and Defense Exhibition Airshow at Waterkloof Airforce Base in Centurion, Ramaphosa asserted that Africa not only deserves a permanent seat but also veto power to avoid being treated as a “second-class” participant.
“It is a significant injustice that we are not represented, but our advocacy is gaining traction,” he stated. “We have the capability and knowledge, and Africa must be given its rightful place within the UN and its various structures.”
This statement follows last week’s announcement from the US, which expressed support for two African nations as permanent UNSC members without veto power as part of proposed reforms.
Last August, Ramaphosa and Chinese President Xi Jinping co-chaired a roundtable dialogue in Johannesburg with several African leaders, reaffirming their strong commitment to the UN Charter and mutual support for each other’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and development interests.
