The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has called for urgent reform of the UN Security Council, describing the continued absence of permanent African representation as unjustifiable.
In a post shared via his verified X account on Saturday, Guterres stressed the need for the global body to reflect present-day realities rather than the geopolitical structure of the mid-20th century.
“The absence of permanent African seats on the Security Council is indefensible,” he wrote.
The UN chief argued that the composition of the Security Council no longer aligns with contemporary global dynamics, particularly given Africa’s population size and growing influence in international affairs.
“The Security Council must reflect today’s world. This is 2026 — not 1946,” Guterres stated.
Currently, Africa does not hold any of the five permanent seats on the Security Council, which are occupied by China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
While African nations periodically serve as non-permanent members, calls for permanent representation have intensified in recent years amid broader demands for institutional reform.
Guterres further emphasised that Africa’s voice must be central in deliberations affecting the continent and the wider international community.
“Whenever decisions about Africa and the world are on the table, Africa must be at the table,” he added.
Reform of the Security Council has been a longstanding issue within the United Nations, with several member states advocating expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories to better reflect regional balance and global power shifts.
Guterres’ latest remarks add renewed momentum to the push for restructuring the Council to ensure more inclusive and equitable representation, particularly for Africa, which comprises 54 member states of the United Nations.
In September 2025, SaharaReporters reported that President Bola Tinubu, speaking through Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), reiterated Nigeria’s demand for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, highlighting the need for the institution to reflect today’s global realities.
Addressing world leaders at the General Debate, Tinubu had emphasised that the United Nations must evolve to remain relevant, noting that Nigeria’s transformation from a 20-million-person colony in 1945 to a sovereign nation of over 236 million today illustrates the urgent need for reform.
The president also linked the call for reform to broader economic and social concerns, urging urgent action on sovereign debt relief, fair access to trade and finance, and leveraging Africa’s strategic resources to drive sustainable development.
He said, “We are here to strengthen the prospects for peace, development and human rights. Madam President, I want to make four points today to outline how we can do this: One: Nigeria must have a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. This should take place as part of a wider process of institutional reform.
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