According to the foreign minister of Russia, his country is in favor of the United Nations Security Council being reformed to allow emerging nations—including African nations—a more significant position.
After meeting with Yoweri Museveni, the president of Uganda, Sergey Lavrov gave a speech in Kampala, the country’s capital, on Tuesday.
In regards to the U.N. Security Council reform, we reaffirmed our positions, Lavrov stated. The underrepresentation of developing nations in the Security Council is the primary issue, and increasing the number of Asian, African, and Latin American nations in the Council is the only way to address this issue.
As Russia strives to change the narrative in the midst of the Ukraine crisis, Lavrov made his third stop in Uganda during his tour of Africa. Lavrov’s journey will come to a close with a stop in Ethiopia, home to the 54-nation African Union.
The five permanent members of the Security Council—the United States, China, Russia, France, and Britain—reflect the balance of power in the world at the close of World War II. Ten additional seats on the council are filled by rotating U.N. members who hold two-year terms.
Although reforming the council to reflect contemporary global circumstances is widely supported, efforts have been stymied by interstate and intraregional conflicts.
According to the African Union, the council should be increased to 26 members, with six more permanent seats—two of which would be reserved for Africa and would have veto power—and five non-permanent seats.
“We want to make our own enemies, not fight other people’s enemies,” Museveni said. “This is our doctrine.”
