Africa is rich, so why do we borrow at eight times more expensive than the rest of the world?

African leaders recently addressed the United Nations General Assembly, speaking passionately about the continent's issues such as debt, insecurity, climate injustice, and unfair trade. However, their efforts to gain a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council have achieved little so far. This is largely due to Africa's exclusion from the UN's founding structure in 1945, when the majority of African countries lived under colonial rule.

The Security Council, responsible for maintaining international peace and security, currently has five permanent members (the US, Russia, China, France, and the UK) each holding a veto power, making it difficult for Africa to gain its desired permanent seat. Despite making up more than a quarter of the General Assembly, which deliberates on global issues, African countries have no leverage in the Security Council.

Time and again, African leaders have voiced their grievances at the UN, but the world has largely ignored their pleas. For real change, African leaders must first improve conditions for their citizens at home and then demonstrate their worthiness to hold a permanent seat on the Security Council.