UN Chief Calls For Permanent Seat On African Security Council

UN chief António Guterres has called for Africa to be given a permanent seat on the UN Security Council as part of reforms to right historical injustices.

The Security Council, whose five permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, has long been criticized for reflecting the reality that prevailed at the end of World War II, when much of Africa was still under colonial rule.

“The world has changed since 1945. But the composition of the Council, despite some changes, has not kept pace,” Guterres said.

The body’s ten non-permanent members are assigned by region, but unlike the five permanent members, they do not have veto power.

The African Union has long advocated that the continent should have two permanent representatives on the council and two additional seats as non-permanent representatives.

Monday’s debate was hosted by Sierra Leone, and President Julius Maada Bio argued for the importance of the continent.

“The time for half measures and incremental progress is over. Africa must be heard and her demands for justice and equality must be met,” he said.

The UN Security Council has important responsibilities, including authorizing peacekeeping operations, imposing international sanctions and determining how the UN should respond to conflicts around the world.

Other UN officials, including Dennis Francis – the President of the UN General Assembly – and Mr Guterres, also agreed with the reformist spirit.

“We cannot accept that the world’s foremost peace and security body has no permanent voice for a continent of over a billion people – a young and rapidly growing population – that makes up 28% of the United Nations membership,” said the UN chief.

Africa was underrepresented at the UN Security Council and international financial institutions, but “overrepresented in the very challenges that these structures are intended to address,” he added.

According to Guterres, Africa is often at the centre of conflicts fuelled by greed for the continent’s resources, which are essential to the global economy.

He also pointed out that almost half of all UN peacekeeping operations took place in Africa and that 40% of UN peacekeepers were African.

The UN chief added that the organisation had failed to properly align African representation with the continent’s efforts and contributions.

The UN was founded after World War II to protect future generations from the scourge of armed conflict.

Only four African countries were among the founders: Egypt, Liberia, Ethiopia and South Africa.

For Mr Guterres, the need for change was not just about ethics and justice.

“It is also a strategic imperative to increase global acceptance of the council’s decisions, which will benefit Africa and the world,” he said.