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United Nations

Africa Demands Permanent Seat on UN Security Council, Citing "Unacceptable" Exclusion

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

African leaders at the 2025 General Assembly are pushing for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, with Kenyan President William Ruto leading the charge. Ruto described Africa's current exclusion as "unacceptable, unfair, and grossly unjust," citing the continent's significant contributions to global peacekeeping and conflict resolution. Africa remains the only continent without a permanent seat on the Security Council, despite being one of the most active contributors to UN peacekeeping missions. Ruto emphasized that decisions about peace, security, and development are routinely made without Africa's voice, calling the current arrangement outdated and a threat to the UN's credibility.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ezulwini Consensus, adopted in 2005 by African leaders, demands two permanent seats with veto power and five non-permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council.
  • Africa remains the only continent without a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, despite being a key contributor to global peacekeeping and conflict resolution.
  • Ruto's call for reform emphasizes that granting Africa at least two permanent seats with full rights, including the power to veto, is not a favor but a necessity for the UN's credibility.
  • The current Security Council structure, established in 1945, is outdated and fails to reflect the geopolitical realities of the 21st century.
  • The UN faces a "deepest crisis" due to funding cuts, bureaucratic delays, and a Security Council that remains "frozen," compounded by a lack of inclusive representation, particularly from Africa.

Statistics:

  • 54 nations make up the African continent.
  • 600 police officers from Kenya have been deployed to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti.
  • The MSS mission in Haiti operates below 40% of its authorized personnel strength.
  • The mission was authorized in October 2023, but it has struggled to attract sufficient troop contributions from other nations.

Sources:

  • [President William Ruto's speech at the 2025 General Assembly]
  • [The Ezulwini Consensus, adopted in 2005 by African leaders]
  • [UN Security Council Resolution]

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