In a recent address to the United Nations Security Council, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asserted the urgent need for reform within the council, particularly highlighting the underrepresentation of the African continent. Guterres emphasized that the current structure of the UNSC, with its five permanent members and regional allocations for nonpermanent seats, does not reflect the changing global landscape.
The UN chief called for Africa to be granted a permanent seat at the table, noting that the continent’s views on peace and security issues are undervalued. This sentiment was echoed by UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis, who stressed the need for the Security Council to accurately represent the world as it is now, rather than as it was 80 years ago.
During the debate, Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio advocated for Africa to have two permanent seats and additional nonpermanent seats on the UNSC. He also called for the abolition of the veto power or its extension to all new permanent members as a matter of justice.
Carlos Lopes, a professor at the University of Cape Town and former AU high representative, highlighted that Africa’s push for better representation is supported by current geopolitics, making this a favorable moment for reform. Lopes noted that Africa’s growing influence in global politics has put pressure on institutions like the Security Council to reevaluate their structures and include more diverse perspectives.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
