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United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres has renewed his call for Africa to secure permanent representation on the UN Security Council, saying the continent needs a seat from which it can contribute to global decision-making.
Guterres made the call as world leaders gather in New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where reform of the global body is expected to remain a major issue.
“Africa also needs a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, where it can contribute to dialogue and action for the whole globe,” Guterres said.
His remarks form part of his broader push to reform international institutions to reflect current global realities rather than the balance of power that existed when the UN was founded in 1945.
The UN chief has repeatedly argued that Africa’s exclusion from the permanent membership of the Security Council is difficult to justify, particularly given the continent’s role in the organisation and the prominence of African conflicts on the Council’s agenda.
In February 2026, Guterres told African leaders at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa that the absence of permanent African representation on the Council was “indefensible”, declaring that “this is 2026, not 1946.”
The Security Council currently has 15 members, comprising five permanent members, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, and 10 non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms. The five permanent members hold veto power.
Africa currently has no permanent seat, although several African countries periodically serve as elected Council members.
The African Union has maintained a common position calling for at least two permanent seats and five additional non-permanent seats for the continent as part of wider Security Council reform. The African position also calls for any new permanent African members to have the same prerogatives as existing permanent members, including veto rights if the veto is retained.
The demand is rooted in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, which form the basis of Africa’s longstanding position on Security Council reform.
Nigeria has also backed the common African position. During UN discussions on reform, Nigeria reiterated support for at least two permanent and five non-permanent African seats and argued that any reform process should address Africa’s contribution to global peace and security and its exclusion from permanent membership.
Guterres’ latest intervention comes as the UN begins its high-level week, with the General Debate scheduled for September 22–28, 2026. The 81st session is being held under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
However, the Secretary-General can advocate for reform but cannot unilaterally change the Security Council’s composition. Any reform requires agreement among UN member states and an amendment to the UN Charter.
“Africa also needs permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council, where it can contribute to dialogue and action for the whole globe.”
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— @antonioguterres pic.twitter.com/a28BKoed9A
— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) September 20, 2026
