In the United Nations Security Council, there is a current push for the inclusion of a permanent seat for Africa.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has called for a restructuring of the UN Security Council, highlighting the underrepresentation of Africa and advocating for the allocation of a permanent seat to the continent.
Currently, the UNSC comprises 15 members, with five permanent members possessing veto power, namely China, France, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The remaining 10 non-permanent seats are allocated regionally, including three seats designated for African states.
In a statement made in May, the UNSC emphasized the necessity of reinforcing the role of African nations in addressing global security and development challenges.
During the recent debate, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone articulated Africa’s request for two permanent seats and an additional two non-permanent seats within the UNSC.
He also elucidated that the selection of African permanent members would be undertaken by the African Union and underscored the desirability of abolishing the veto power or, if it were to be retained, extending it to all new permanent members as a matter of justice.
