Africa is tired of waiting at the UN: "We are a quarter of the world, we want a permanent seat on the Security Council"

African leaders are demanding reform of the UN Security Council, including the allocation of permanent seats to the continent. The 54 African nations make up a quarter of UN membership but have no permanent representation on the council. Speeches at the General Assembly highlight historical injustice and demand equality in decisions on war and peace.

African leaders used their speeches at the UN General Assembly to demand reform of the Security Council, including the allocation of permanent seats to the continent's countries. 54 of the 193 UN member states are African, but on the council, the most important body that decides matters of war and peace, only the US, Russia, France, Britain, and China enjoy permanent seats and veto power. Africa holds three non-permanent seats without veto power. Kenyan President William Ruto said: "The declared equality in this assembly ends at the doorstep of the Security Council." Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie questioned how the denial of the right of 1.6 billion Africans to equal representation can be justified. Liberian President Joseph Boakai said correcting the imbalance is not a favor to Africa but necessary to restore trust in the UN. The discussion takes place against the backdrop of the AI revolution, for which African raw materials are an important component. Botswana President Duma Boko called for integrating Africa into discussions on critical minerals. The African Union demands at least two permanent seats. The US supported the move in 2024 under the Biden administration, but without veto power, and the initiative has not advanced since. Notable candidates for the seats: South Africa, Nigeria, and Egypt.

Africa is tired of waiting at the UN: "We are a quarter of the world, we want a permanent seat on the Security Council"