UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging for reform within the UN Security Council, highlighting the underrepresentation of the African continent in the current structure. Guterres emphasized that the UNSC must adapt to a changing world and ensure equal representation for all regions, especially Africa, which has over a billion people.
The current composition of the UNSC includes five permanent members with veto power, with only three seats allocated for African states. Guterres stressed the need for Africa to have a permanent voice in matters of peace and security, both on the continent and globally.
During a high-level debate, UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis echoed Guterres’ sentiments, emphasizing the importance of reflecting the current world order in the UN’s structure. African leaders, including Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio, have also called for Africa to have two permanent seats on the UNSC.
Carlos Lopes, a professor at the University of Cape Town, pointed out that current geopolitical tensions have made this moment favorable for African countries to push for better representation in international bodies like the UNSC. African nations are seeking to align themselves strategically and gain more influence in global decision-making processes.
Calls for reform within the UNSC have been ongoing, with the African Union advocating for a more equitable distribution of power. African countries are demanding to have a stronger voice in international affairs, and the current momentum could lead to significant changes within the structure of the UN Security Council in the near future.
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