The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has renewed Africa’s demand for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council, describing the continent’s exclusion as a historical injustice that must be corrected.
Speaking at a ministerial meeting on UN Security Council reform held on the margins of the Africa–France Summit in Nairobi, Youssouf reaffirmed Africa’s unified position and urged urgent reforms to make the Council more reflective of today’s global realities.
He emphasized that Africa’s request is not for special treatment but for fairness and equity within international governance. “Africa is not asking for a favour; Africa is demanding the correction of a historical injustice,” he declared, stressing that the continent’s demographic, political, and economic weight can no longer be ignored.
Guided by the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, Africa’s long-standing proposal calls for no fewer than two permanent seats with full prerogatives—including veto powers while they exist—as well as five non-permanent seats in an expanded Council.
Youssouf welcomed support from France, Kenya, and Sierra Leone for Africa’s reform model, describing their backing as an important step toward building broader international consensus. He also urged stronger political coordination among African states, strategic alliances, and practical measures to translate international support into meaningful institutional change.
“The credibility and legitimacy of the Security Council depend on its ability to reflect the realities of today’s world, not the geopolitical order of 1945,” he noted.
Pointing to Africa’s recent inclusion in the G20, Youssouf argued that global governance institutions are capable of evolving to become more representative. He said the AU’s permanent membership in the G20 demonstrates growing recognition of Africa’s role in global affairs and should serve as a model for broader reforms within the UN system.
