After decades of pushing for a greater voice within the United Nations’ most powerful body, Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, emphasized on Monday that Africa “cannot wait any longer.”
During a meeting chaired by his country at the UN Security Council, President Bio renewed the call for more African representation, advocating for the continent to gain additional council seats, including two permanent positions with potential veto power.
“The time for half-measures and incremental progress is over. Africa must be heard, and its demands for justice and equity must be met,” Bio asserted, labeling Africa as the “unquestionable victim” of an outdated and unrepresentative Security Council structure.
This isn’t the first time the council has faced calls for reform, with African nations being among the most vocal advocates for expanding and diversifying its membership. However, the discussions have often stalled due to disagreements over the scope of expansion, which countries should be included, and the powers they should possess.
President Bio’s speech comes at a crucial moment, ahead of the upcoming U.N. “Summit of the Future” and the annual General Assembly, where global leaders will gather. These events are expected to address international cooperation and the future of global governance. The latest draft of the summit’s potential “Pact for the Future” identifies Security Council reform as a priority, promising an “ambitious” outcome, though the specifics are still being debated.
“We are sure it is a matter of time. Because the gatekeepers will find it difficult to let us in,” Bio stated during a news briefing, adding that Africa has a “genuine and compelling case” for greater representation.
The Security Council, established in 1945, was designed to maintain global peace post-World War II, reflecting the power dynamics of that era when much of Africa was under European colonial rule. The council’s permanent members include the United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France—each wielding veto power. Additionally, there are 10 non-permanent seats, allocated by region, with three seats designated for Africa.
African nations argue that this arrangement fails to reflect the continent’s growing importance. With a population of 1.3 billion, Africa accounts for 28% of the U.N.’s member states. The African Union has proposed adding two elected seats, increasing Africa’s total to five, alongside two permanent seats for African countries.
Namibia’s Foreign Minister, Peya Mushelenga, stressed the urgency of addressing Africa’s demand for permanent seats. U.N. General Assembly President Dennis Francis also acknowledged that Africa is “manifestly underrepresented” on the council, calling the current structure “simply wrong.”
However, any changes to the council’s composition would require agreement from the General Assembly, which has debated the issue for years. While the United States supports adding permanent seats for Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, finding consensus on broader reform remains challenging.
U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, a former diplomat to several African countries, urged action, stating, “Let’s stop admiring the problem here. We need to move to solutions.”
With Sierra Leone currently holding the council’s rotating presidency, President Bio urged his fellow members to prioritize Africa in any forthcoming structural changes. “Africa cannot wait any longer,” he concluded.
