Ruto calls for permanent African representation on UN Security Council

Kenyan President William Ruto urged the United Nations on Wednesday to permanently include African nations on the Security Council during his address to the UN General Assembly. In his speech, Ruto lamented the continent's exclusion from permanent representation despite constituting more than a quarter of the assembly's membership.

He emphasized that Africa, with its 54 member states, should have a permanent voice in the body responsible for maintaining international peace and security. Ruto criticized the UN Security Council for frequently discussing African issues yet excluding the continent permanently. The Kenyan president called for the Security Council to reflect the world's changes, highlighting that the body was established at a time when most Africans lacked a nation to represent them and no voice in the institutions governing global peace.

This year's UN event was anticipated to see the African Union push for increased influence in the world body, a campaign led by several African leaders in recent years. South Africa's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Mxolisi Sizo Nkosi, had previously stated that Security Council reform was a key priority for his country.

Ruto's call for permanent African representation echoed a similar plea from outgoing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres the day before. Guterres emphasized that a Security Council without African representation in the 21st century is unjust and indefensible during his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.