During the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), African countries made a unified call for reforming the UN Security Council to secure a permanent seat for Africa. Leaders emphasized the need for fair representation, calling for global governance that reflects current geopolitical realities.
Kenya’s President William Ruto highlighted historical injustices and stressed that Africa’s exclusion from the permanent members of the Security Council is unjust, given the continent’s contributions to global peacekeeping and economic stability. “Africa must no longer be marginalized in global decision-making,” he declared.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa echoed these sentiments, advocating for comprehensive UN reform. He asserted that Africa should not merely be a participant but a decision-maker in global affairs, proposing that two permanent seats be allocated to Africa.
Nigeria’s Defense Minister Mohammed Badaru reinforced this call, urging for a fairer and more representative global governance system. Badaru argued that Africa’s growing geopolitical and economic significance necessitates a permanent seat, especially to address pressing issues like peacekeeping, climate change, and economic development.
Other African nations, including Egypt, Algeria, and Senegal, also demanded stronger African representation at the global decision-making table, asserting that Africa must have a prominent role in shaping international policies affecting peace, security, and development.
Global leaders also supported this push for African representation
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized the need for an inclusive Security Council, criticizing the current structure. “The world is bigger than five,” he reiterated, advocating for an equitable system where Africa’s voice is heard.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among other prominent leaders who advocated for Africa’s inclusion. They both stressed that the Security Council should reflect modern geopolitical realities and provide fair representation to all continents, particularly Africa.
The message from African leaders and their global allies during the 79th UNGA was unequivocal: the UN Security Council must be reformed to grant Africa a permanent seat, thereby rectifying historical imbalances and enabling the continent to play a central role in maintaining global peace and security.
