Pretoria, South Africa – In a groundbreaking announcement, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has vowed to secure two permanent seats for Africa on the UN Security Council (UNSC) by the conclusion of his term in December 2026. Speaking during a high-profile event in Pretoria, Guterres described the current UNSC structure as “outdated” and underscored the urgency of addressing Africa’s exclusion from its permanent membership.
“Africa’s absence from the Security Council’s permanent membership is a historical injustice that can no longer be ignored,” he said. “The international system must reflect today’s realities, not those of 1945.”
The UN chief's pledge aligns with the long-standing demands of the African Union (AU), championed through its Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government (C-10), which has lobbied for comprehensive Security Council reform under the Ezulwini Consensus. This proposal calls for two permanent seats with veto power and additional non-permanent seats for African nations.
Guterres revealed that discussions among the current five permanent members (P5) – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States – have shown a growing consensus on the necessity of African representation. “While achieving consensus on such a sensitive issue is complex, I am encouraged by the willingness of the P5 to engage seriously on this matter,” he noted.
The pledge has been widely applauded across the African continent. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed the announcement as “a significant step towards correcting historical imbalances,” while Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called it “a long-overdue acknowledgment of Africa’s indispensable role in global peace and development.”
However, the path to realizing this goal remains fraught with challenges. Key among them is the question of how the AU will select the countries to fill these permanent seats, given the diversity and competing interests among its 55 member states. The issue of veto power, which the Ezulwini Consensus insists should accompany the permanent seats, also remains contentious.
Political analysts believe that achieving this reform would represent a major victory for multilateralism. “For decades, Africa has been a cornerstone of UN peacekeeping efforts and a critical player in addressing global challenges, yet its exclusion from the council’s highest decision-making body undermines the legitimacy of the entire system,” said Dr. Amina Yusuf, a global governance expert based in Abuja.
The UNSC, established in the aftermath of World War II, has often been criticized for its unrepresentative composition, with its permanent membership reflecting the geopolitical realities of the mid-20th century. Guterres’ commitment to reform comes amid broader calls for modernization within the UN to address contemporary global challenges.
As negotiations continue, the UN chief expressed confidence that the collective will of the international community would prevail. “This is not just about Africa; it is about creating a Security Council that is fit for purpose in the 21st century,” he stated.
If successful, the inclusion of African countries as permanent members will mark a turning point in global governance, signaling a more inclusive and equitable international order.
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