Africa’s Security Council Reform Efforts Remain Unresolved at UNGA81
Abuja, Nigeria – The issue of Africa’s representation on the United Nations Security Council has once again captured attention during the 81st UN General Assembly, with various leaders advocating for urgent reforms to a body that has retained its five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—since its establishment in 1945. The need for a more representative Security Council has been underscored by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his concluding address to the assembly. He emphasized the necessity for the Council to adapt and reflect the contemporary geopolitical landscape.
Among the voices calling for change, Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima conveyed a strong message in President Bola Tinubu’s national statement, advocating for the allocation of at least two permanent seats with veto power for African nations, in addition to five non-permanent seats. This sentiment was echoed by Ghana’s ex-President John Mahama, who articulated that reforming the Security Council is essential for the legitimacy and survival of the United Nations.
Despite the renewed fervor for reform, the road to achieving tangible changes in the Council’s structure appears fraught with challenges. Currently, the Security Council is composed of 15 members, with five holding permanent status and veto power. Notably, no African country has ever held a permanent seat, even as Africa plays a critical role in the Council’s agenda, including the approval of resolutions that predominantly pertain to the continent. In 2025, 18 out of 24 resolutions passed under Chapter VII of the UN Charter were directed toward African issues.
The reform process, which began with intergovernmental negotiations launched by the General Assembly in 2008, has stalled due to disagreements regarding key elements such as Council membership and the veto power. Making any alteration to the composition of permanent members would necessitate revising the UN Charter, a process requiring a supermajority vote in the General Assembly and approval from all existing permanent members.
Positioning itself as a hopeful contender for a permanent seat, Nigeria has long advocated for its inclusion, alongside other nations such as Egypt and South Africa. This call is significant for Nigeria, as gaining that status would enhance its influence on the global stage and bolster its position as a regional leader. However, the African Union has yet to designate specific countries to represent the continent, promoting a unified demand for at least two African permanent seats with commensurate powers.
Complicating matters is the contentious issue of veto power, which many African governments believe must extend to any new permanent members to effectively address the imbalances created by their absence. Advocates argue that any expansion without equivalent authority fails to rectify the current inequity.
The ongoing struggle for Africa to secure a permanent voice on the UN Security Council reflects broader questions about global governance and influence. The future of the Council hinges on resolving contentious issues, including the number and identity of new permanent members, the distribution of veto powers, and the willingness of existing powers to concede to reforms. The quest for representation remains critical, as it signifies more than mere inclusion; it speaks to the broader narrative of who shapes global policy on issues intimately affecting the African continent.
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