African leaders are demanding a bigger role at the United Nations, with President William Ruto leading calls for permanent seats on the UN Security Council. The demand is simple but powerful: Africa should no longer sit outside while its issues dominate the global peace and security agenda.
With only five permanent members since World War II, the Security Council reflects outdated power structures that ignore Africa’s influence. If granted permanent membership, Africa would gain veto powers, real global influence, and the ability to shape decisions affecting its people.
Why Africa Needs a Permanent Seat at the UN Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is the most powerful organ of the UN. It makes decisions on war, peace, sanctions, peacekeeping missions, and the admission of new members. Yet Africa, home to 1.4 billion people and a rising economic force, has no permanent seat.
President William Ruto told world leaders at the General Assembly in New York that excluding Africa is not only unfair but also dangerous for the credibility of the UN. He argued that Africa cannot continue to be a subject of discussions without having a voice in making decisions.
The UNSC’s current structure mirrors the political realities of 1945, not today’s world. The five permanent members — the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, and Russia — were victors of World War II. They hold nuclear power status and enjoy veto powers that can overturn any resolution, even if the majority supports it.
For decades, African nations have sat as rotating non-permanent members, but their influence is limited. Without veto power, Africa cannot protect its interests when permanent members disagree.
The Power of the Veto and Why It Matters
A permanent seat at the UN Security Council comes with veto powers. This tool allows a permanent member to block any substantive decision, even if every other member supports it.
Critics have long argued that the veto is abused by powerful nations to protect their allies or interests. For example, a proposal to turn the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti into a UN peacekeeping mission collapsed after China vetoed it. The mission had wide backing, but one veto was enough to kill it.
If Africa had a permanent seat, it could stop decisions that harm its people and push for resolutions that align with African priorities. Issues like foreign interventions, sanctions, peacekeeping, and climate-related security threats would no longer be decided without Africa’s voice.
Africa’s Global Influence and What It Stands to Gain
Africa is not just a continent of conflict, as it is often portrayed in international forums. It is a continent of growth, with vast resources, rising economies, and a young population that will shape the future global workforce.
A permanent seat would give Africa the platform to project this influence and set its own agenda. It would also give African leaders leverage to negotiate on trade, security, and climate change. Decisions on peacekeeping in Africa, which often involve African troops and territories, would finally include African veto power.
Beyond that, permanent membership would symbolize recognition of Africa’s rightful place in global governance. It would signal that the UN is adapting to today’s realities instead of clinging to a post-war world order.
The Road Ahead for Africa at the UN Security Council
The demand for Africa’s inclusion has been on the table for years, but progress has been slow. Reforming the UN Security Council requires agreement among the current permanent members, many of whom are unwilling to share power.
Still, African leaders are making their case more forcefully than ever. With rising geopolitical rivalries and growing instability, the UN cannot afford to ignore a continent that holds a significant share of the world’s population, resources, and security challenges.
The world is watching whether calls for reform will finally bear fruit. If Africa secures permanent membership, it will not only gain influence but also make the UN more representative, legitimate, and effective.
