IN a significant development, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has voiced the unanimous agreement among the five permanent members of the Security Council that Africa should be duly represented within the prestigious body. Speaking at the third summit of the Group of 77 in Uganda’s capital on Sunday, Guterres expressed newfound hope for a potential reform of the UN Security Council.
During his address, Guterres highlighted recent public declarations from permanent members, indicating their favourability towards at least one African permanent seat. The United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France have all shown positive inclinations towards addressing what Guterres referred to as a ‘flagrant injustice.’ While acknowledging that the outcome is not guaranteed and depends on the General Assembly member states, the secretary-general emphasised that, for the first time, there are reasons to be hopeful.
The African Union has long been advocating for increased representation, seeking to secure two permanent seats in the Security Council. In 2005, the C-10 group was established with the primary mandate of garnering support for a unified African position on Security Council reform.
Addressing broader issues of global governance, Guterres pointed out the paralysis within the Security Council due to geopolitical divisions. He underscored the urgent need for reform, emphasising that the current composition does not reflect the realities of today’s world. Furthermore, the Secretary-General criticised the global financial system, including the Bretton Woods Institutions, for failing to provide a sufficient safety net for developing countries in distress. He argued that these institutions were created in a vastly different global economic landscape after the Second World War.
As discussions surrounding UN Security Council reform gain momentum, the spotlight remains on the potential correction of historical imbalances and the realisation of equitable representation for Africa in this crucial international body.