By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
UN Secretary General António Guterres has urged that Africa be granted a permanent seat on the UN Security Council as part of broader reforms to address historical injustices. The Security Council, which includes five permanent members China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US has been criticized for reflecting the power dynamics of the post World War II era, when much of Africa was still under colonial rule.
Guterres emphasized that while the world has evolved since 1945, the Council's composition has not adequately adapted. Currently, the Security Council includes 10 non-permanent members, who are selected based on regional representation but do not possess the veto power held by the permanent members.
The African Union has long advocated for the continent to be granted two permanent seats and two additional non-permanent seats on the Council. Sierra Leone, which convened the recent debate, made a strong case for these changes, with President Julius Maada Bio asserting that Africa's calls for justice and equality must be heeded.
The UN Security Council plays a critical role in global peace and security, including authorizing peacekeeping missions, imposing sanctions, and determining the UN’s responses to international conflicts. Other UN leaders, including Dennis Francis, President of the UN General Assembly, supported the call for reform.
Guterres stressed the importance of having a permanent African voice on the Council, given the continent's large and growing population, which constitutes 28% of UN member states. He noted that Africa is underrepresented in key international institutions while bearing a disproportionate share of the global challenges these institutions address.
Africa has often been the epicenter of conflicts driven by the global demand for its resources, Guterres said. He highlighted that nearly half of all UN peacekeeping operations are in Africa, with 40% of peacekeepers hailing from the continent. Despite Africa's significant contributions, Guterres argued that the UN has not adequately aligned its representation with the continent's needs and efforts.
The UN was established after World War II to prevent future conflicts, with only four African nations Egypt, Liberia, Ethiopia, and South Africa among the founding members. For Guterres, the push for reform is not only a matter of justice but also a strategic necessity to enhance global acceptance of the Council's decisions, benefiting both Africa and the wider world.
