Africa’s Lack of Permanent Security Council Seat 'Indefensible'

The UN General Assembly has heard renewed calls for full representation of Africa on the Security Council as delegates gather for the 81st session this week. UN Secretary-General Ant nio Guterres, who made his final address to the global body as he prepares to step down later this year, said the Council was designed in the aftermath of World War II. "But the world has fundamentally changed since then," he said, stressing that a Security Council without a "permanent African seat is unjust and indefensible".

The UN Secretary-General's position was echoed by Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu. Shettima said Africa deserves two permanent seats on the council, noting that "the world of 2026 cannot remain captive to the distribution of power in 1945."