African leaders have renewed their long-standing demand for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council, arguing that the current structure does not reflect today's geopolitical realities. The African Union's position, known as the Ezulwini Consensus, calls for at least two permanent seats with veto power and five non-permanent seats for Africa.
The push comes amid broader discussions on Security Council reform, which has been a subject of debate for decades. The Council currently has five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. Africa has three non-permanent seats, but no permanent representation.
In recent years, various UN officials and member states have expressed support for reforming the Council to make it more representative. However, any reform requires amending the UN Charter, which needs approval from two-thirds of the General Assembly and ratification by two-thirds of member states, including all five permanent members. This high threshold has stalled progress.
African leaders continue to advocate for their inclusion, emphasizing that Africa is a key player in global peace and security. The debate is expected to continue at upcoming UN General Assembly sessions and other international forums.
