The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has stated that the Security Council must reflect today’s world, revealing that African countries were under colonial rule when the Council was created.
Guterres who stated this at the 39th African Union Summit on Saturday said now is the time to strengthen Security Council for the 21st century, supporting two permanent African seats, he said the continent must be part of global decisions, not just of global consequences.
When asked which of these countries fit in for the seat the Secretary-General said “Well, it is for Africans to choose these countries that should be members, permanent members, of the Security Council. It’s not for me to make that selection”, he added.
The UN Chief highlighted Africa’s growing influence in global affairs, reaffirmed the need for Security Council reform (including stronger African representation).
He emphasized support for Africa’s development goals, industrialization, and equitable access to financing and called for more partnership underscoring the multilateral cooperation as essential for peace, security, and sustainable development.
Speaking further of the reform, the UN Chief said as the Security Council does not represent today’s world so also the the Council is very ineffective because of the vetoes that do not allow the Security Council to take decisions in order for conflicts to be able to be stopped.
According to him, “If you look at the Security Council today, you still have three European Permanent Members: France, the UK, and Russia. And no African member. You have one Asian member and no Latin American member. So, the Security Council does not represent today’s world.
“So, the reform of the Security Council is absolutely essential. And I have to say that the UN suffers a lot because of that. When I visit many countries, they say the UN is not functioning. No, the UN is functioning. I mean humanitarian aid is being distributed, in sometimes dangerous areas. 
“Development support to countries is there. We are assuming leadership in the fight against Climate Change. We just created a High Level Independent Scientific Panel for Artificial Intelligence. But in the Security Council, it’s the Member States that decides.
“And so, the reform of the Security Council is essential. I know there are resistances, but we will do everything to convince Member States that this needs to be done sooner rather than later and I fully understand the frustration in the African continent, in relation to that fact”.
Meanwhile the UN Chief remarks aligned with continental priorities and reinforced the commitment of both organizations to work together on peace, resilience, and prosperity for Africa and the world.
