United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has made a powerful promise: before he leaves office in 2026, Africa will have two permanent seats on the UN Security Council (UNSC). This bold pledge, made during a visit to South Africa, could reshape the balance of global power and bring long-overdue recognition to Africa’s role in world affairs.
Guterres spoke to journalists in Pretoria, South Africa’s capital, on Wednesday, during his trip to the first African nation to hold the presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) major economies. He emphasized that progress is finally being made on this historic reform.
“At this moment, there is consensus among the P5 (the five permanent members of the Security Council) that Africa deserves two permanent seats,” Guterres said. “The biggest hurdle has been cleared.”
The Current Power Players
The Security Council, one of the UN’s most influential bodies, currently has 15 members. Five of them—Russia, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France—hold permanent seats with the power to veto any decision. The remaining ten members are non-permanent and rotate every two years.
Africa, despite being home to 54 countries and 1.4 billion people, has no permanent representation. Instead, nations like Algeria, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone are temporarily on the council as non-permanent members.
Africa’s Long Fight for a Seat at the Table
The demand for reform is not new. Since 2005, the African Union (AU) has rallied for change through its C-10 group, which represents the continent’s collective position on Security Council reforms. Leaders like Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio and South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa have repeatedly called for Africa to have two permanent seats and additional non-permanent ones.
Ramaphosa recently argued that leaving global security decisions to “a few major powers” is outdated and unfair. Similarly, Russian President Vladimir Putin has voiced support, stating that African nations deserve to have their voices heard strongly on international platforms like the UNSC and the G20.
Why Now?
Guterres has long criticized the Security Council’s structure as old-fashioned and unrepresentative of today’s world. He believes Africa’s lack of a permanent voice is unacceptable. This week, he expressed optimism that reforms are finally within reach.
“I’m confident that before my term ends, we will see Africa with permanent members in the Security Council,” he said.
A Step Towards Fair Representation
The push for reform reflects a growing global acknowledgment that Africa’s role in world affairs has been underestimated. The continent has been gaining influence on the world stage, from economic growth to peacekeeping efforts, and its leaders are demanding the recognition they deserve.
This bold promise from the UN’s leader brings hope that change is on the horizon. If Guterres succeeds, Africa will not just have a seat at the table—it will finally have the power to shape the decisions that impact the world.
