African leaders reiterate demands for UN Security Council reform

They articulated a compelling case, highlighting how the legacy of colonialism and its lingering effects have left the continent disproportionately excluded.

Speaker after speaker each argued that this exclusion is not merely a matter of representation, it directly impacts Africa’s ability to influence discussions on critical issues, such as conflict resolution, climate change and sustainable development.

The leaders emphasized the urgent need for the 15-member Security Council to reflect contemporary realities, arguing that its current structure is antiquated and ill-suited to address the complex challenges of the modern world.

They pointed out that the failure to incorporate a broader spectrum of voices within the Council compromises the UN’s legitimacy and effectiveness, particularly in responding to Africa’s pressing peace and security challenges.

The first speaker of the day, Malawi's President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, says the time has come to “fix this now”, while William Ruto, President of Kenya, doubled down on the need for reform, saying international cooperation, in its current form, has clear limitations.

Gambian President Adama Barrow echoed those sentiments, recalling that the Summit of the Future, which preceded the high-level debate, had determined that human actions were largely responsible for the challenges the global community faces today. In doing so, the UN System, especially the Security Council, needs urgent comprehensive reforms, he added.

Joining the calls for reforms, Prithvirajsing Roopun, President of Mauritius, highlighted that both small States and large ones alike “deserve a voice”.

“We are at a watershed moment,” he declared, welcoming the recent adoption of the Pact for the Future.