UN chief defends idea of two African seats at Security Council

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres reiterated his call for a reform of the UN Security Council that would give two seats to the African continent.

Speaking in Addis Ababa in the headquarters of the African Union, Guterres said Installing “two African members as permanent members of the Security Council” is essential for reform.

Guterres stressed the importance of the recently adopted Pact for the Future, which addresses the need for reform in the Security Council and international financial architecture. “We can only move forward if we also renew and update global institutions, by making them more effective, fair and inclusive.”

In September, the United States said it backs a Security Council reform that would offer Africa two permanent seats.

African states have for long urged a reform of the Security Council to address the underrepresentation of the continent in global governance.

The arguments in favor of increasing African membership in the council are: repairing the historical injustice of its underrepresentation in global governance, recognizing African contributions in shaping the contemporary world order, and securing the legitimacy of the UN in the face of emerging threats to international peace and security.

The US also backs seats for Japan, Germany, and India.