Kenyan President William Ruto has renewed calls for a reform of the United Nations Security Council, insisting that Africa deserves permanent representation on the global body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
Speaking during the United Nations General Assembly, Ruto criticised the continued absence of an African permanent member on the council, despite the continent’s significant representation within the UN.
“Africa has 54 member states, more than a quarter of this assembly, yet no permanent voice in the body entrusted with the primary responsibility of international peace and security,” Ruto said.
He argued that Africa remains deeply affected by decisions taken by the Security Council while having no permanent seat in shaping those decisions.
“We are frequently the subject of its decisions, permanently discussed, yet permanently excluded,” he added.
The Kenyan leader said the structure of the Security Council no longer reflects current global realities, noting that the institution was created at a time when many African countries had not gained independence and had little influence in international affairs.
“The world, ladies and gentlemen, has since transformed. The Council, the Security Council, has not,” Ruto said.
The push for greater African representation has gained renewed attention in recent years, with several African leaders and the African Union advocating reforms to increase the continent’s role in global decision-making.
South Africa’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Mxolisi Sizo Nkosi, also described Security Council reform as a major priority for his country ahead of the General Assembly discussions.
Ruto’s remarks followed a similar position expressed by outgoing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said a modern Security Council without permanent African representation was unacceptable.
“A 21st century Security Council without permanent African representation is unjust and indefensible,” Guterres said.
The debate over Security Council reform has remained unresolved for decades, with discussions focusing on expanding representation to better reflect changes in global population, geopolitics and international influence.
