UN chief says Africa will have permanent Security Council seats

Addis Ababa, December 12, 2024 (FBC) – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has vowed to ensure that Africa has two permanent seats on the Security Council (UNSC) before his tenure ends. He is currently serving his second term, which began in January 2022 and expires in December 2026.

The UN chief made the commitment on Wednesday during an engagement with journalists in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria. Guterres is visiting the African country, which became the first on the continent to take over the rotating presidency of the Group of 20 major economies this month.

“At the present moment, we have, I would say, a consensus of the P5 [five permanent members] that two permanent African members should exist in the Security Council. So, the most difficult obstacle is overcome,” he said.

The Security Council has 15 members, five of which are permanent – Russia, China, the US, the UK, and France – and which have the right to veto any resolution. Algeria, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone currently represent Africa as non-permanent members.

The 55-nation African Union (AU) has long sought permanent representation on the UNSC. In 2005, the bloc formed the C-10 group, whose primary mission is to present, advocate for, and rally support for the common African position on Security Council reforms, as reported by RT.