Kenyan President William Ruto has called for urgent reform of the United Nations Security Council, demanding permanent African representation and an end to what he described as the continent’s continued exclusion from key global decision-making.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Ruto highlighted the disparity between Africa’s substantial membership in the international body and its lack of a permanent seat on the Security Council.
“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 African nations are frequently affected by decisions made by the Council but remain excluded from its permanent membership.
“We are frequently the subject of its decisions, permanently discussed, yet permanently excluded,” he added.
Ruto Says Security Council No Longer Reflects Global Realities
The Kenyan president said the Security Council must reflect the major political and demographic changes that have taken place since its establishment.
He noted that when the United Nations was founded, most African countries were still under colonial rule and had little influence over the institutions responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
“The world, ladies and gentlemen, has since transformed. The Council, the Security Council, has not,” Ruto told the assembly.
His remarks come amid renewed efforts by African leaders to secure greater representation in international institutions, particularly the UN Security Council, which has five permanent members with veto powers.
African Union Pushes for Greater Global Influence
This year’s UN General Assembly was expected to see the African Union intensify its campaign for a stronger voice in global affairs.
South Africa has also identified Security Council reform as a key diplomatic priority. Ahead of the General Assembly session, the country’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Ambassador Mxolisi Sizo Nkosi, told local media that reform of the Council was an important part of South Africa’s agenda.
The push reflects longstanding concerns among African countries that the current structure of the Security Council does not adequately represent the continent or the wider international community.
Guterres Echoes Africa’s Demand
Ruto’s appeal also echoed remarks made a day earlier by outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who backed calls for permanent African representation.
Addressing the General Assembly on Tuesday, Guterres said: “A 21st century Security Council without permanent African representation is unjust and indefensible.”
The calls from Ruto and Guterres have once again placed the question of Security Council reform at the centre of discussions at the United Nations, as African countries continue to press for a greater role in shaping decisions on international peace and security.
