UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the reform of the UN Security Council to include Africa as a permanent member, stating that the continent is underrepresented. Guterres emphasized that the current structure of the council has failed to keep up with a changing world, with Africa’s views being undervalued in matters of peace and security.
The UNSC currently consists of five permanent members with veto power, while the remaining 10 seats are allocated regionally. African countries hold three of these seats. In May, the council called for the strengthening of the role of African countries in addressing global security challenges.
During a high-level debate, UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis also called for the council to reflect the current world, stating that Africa’s underrepresentation offends principles of equity and inclusion.
Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio demanded two permanent seats for Africa in the UNSC, with the African Union choosing the representatives. He also called for the abolition of the veto or its extension to all new permanent members.
Carlos Lopes, a former high representative for the AU, highlighted the current geopolitical climate as favorable for African countries to push for better representation, given the competition for Africa’s votes and the ability of the continent to navigate these tensions effectively.
Overall, the push for reform of the UNSC to include Africa as a permanent member reflects the growing demand for a more equitable and representative global governing body.
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