'Urgent need': UK and UN Secretary-General Guterres call for UNSC reform, demanding a permanent seat for Africa

Aug. 12, 2024, 8:06 p.m.

Read time estimation: 5 minutes.

  2

During a high-level debate titled “Addressing the historical injustice and enhancing Africa’s effective representation in the UN Security Council,” the UK, delegations from Africa and the UN secretary-general António Guterres called for constructive reforms in the decades-old international body. One of the major things on their agenda was demanding the continent’s permanent representation in the UNSC.

In his arguments, the UN chief stressed that the current composition of the UNSC reflects the power dynamics at the end of World War II and has not kept pace with the evolving global landscape. “In 1945, most of today’s African nations were still under colonial rule and had no say in international affairs,” Guterres asserted in the meeting held on Monday.

Advertisement “We cannot accept that the world’s preeminent peace and security body lacks a permanent voice for a continent of well over a billion people…nor can we accept that Africa’s views are undervalued on questions of peace and security, both on the continent and around the world," he added.

Africa deserves a permanent seat at the Security Council table – Secretary-General António Guterres

“It is unacceptable that the world’s leading peace and security organization lacks a permanent voice for a continent with over a billion people”

Learn more ⤵️https://t.co/SbB42yRAB5 pic.twitter.com/9CbRYmjCKf

— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) August 12, 2024 UK comes supports the African cause

The appeal gained momentum when one of the permanent members of the UNSC, i.e. the UK joined the call. Ray Collins, UK’s Minister for Africa and the UN said that providing a permanent seat to Africa is a matter of “urgency”.

“For these institutions to represent the world of today, they must be as effective as they can be. So, we will work tirelessly with our allies and partners to strengthen them. For this Council, that means expanding our membership in both categories, to include permanent African representation as a matter of urgency,” the British diplomat said in his remarks.

Advertisement “We must collaborate to bring all the expertise, experience, and ambition we can gather to this chamber.”

Today @Lord_Collins underscored the UK's commitment to expanding the @UN Security Council, advocating for permanent African representation as a priority. pic.twitter.com/W3eNIFpV6D

— UK at the UN 🇬🇧🇺🇳 (@UKUN_NewYork) August 12, 2024 He also raised the crisis in Sudan, “The UK is proud to be working alongside our African partners on issues that are at the forefront of the Council’s agenda,” Collins noted. “This includes Sudan, where we seek a political solution to end the devastating manmade crisis which has now resulted in famine in the country,” he furthered.

Advertisement Africa speaks volumes.

One of the prominent representatives speaking for Africa was Dr Sithembile Mbete, who is a lecturer in the Department of Political Sciences at the University of Pretoria. She went on to call for “no less than 2 permanent seats” for Africa at the UNSC along with the right to veto. “Africa is permanently on the menu but Africans do not have a permanent seat at the table,” she said in her powerful address.

"#Africa is permanently on the menu but Africans do not have a permanent seat at the table."

Dr. @sthembete from @UPTuks voices the concerns of African #CivilSociety at the #UNSC high-level discussion on addressing the historical injustice and strengthening Africa’s effective… pic.twitter.com/GjeicUUlW8

— African Union ECOSOCC (@AU_ECOSOCC) August 12, 2024 Advertisement Interestingly, Julius Maada Bio, the President of Sierra Leone was overseeing the debate as the President of the United Nations Security Council. He called Africa’s lack of representation in the council a “historical injustice”. “Today, I speak as a representative of a continent long underrepresented in global decision-making. The UN Security Council’s structure is stuck in history—its composition is unjust and undermines its legitimacy,” he said in the Monday meeting.

As the President of the United Nations Security Council, I have the honor to chair a historic discussion on reforming the UN Security Council. I spoke as a representative of a Continent that has long been underrepresented in the Council that shapes our world on matters… pic.twitter.com/TsIWGaUKdB

— President Julius Maada Bio (@PresidentBio) August 12, 2024 Advertisement “Africa, with 1.3 billion people and 28% of UN membership, remains grossly underrepresented in the Security Council. This is a profound historical injustice that must be addressed. The call for reform is irrefutable,” he added.

It is noteworthy that nations like India and Brazil have also been advocating for permanent seats on the UNSC. Therefore, it will be fascinating to observe if the council will demonstrate greater openness to reform following these compelling arguments.