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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told African leaders on Saturday that the continent’s absence of permanent representation on the UN Security Council is “indefensible.”
Guterres urged long-overdue reforms at the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa.
“The absence of permanent African seats on the Security Council is indefensible,” Guterres said.
“The Security Council must reflect today’s world. This is 2026 — not 1946.”
Guterres added that “Whenever decisions about Africa and the world are on the table, Africa must be at the table.”
Africa is leading the world in “the struggle for justice and equality,” he said, adding that the UN-AU partnership is stronger than ever thanks to “respect, constant dialogue, and unwavering solidarity.”
He also called for urgent action to resolve ongoing conflicts across Africa, including an immediate ceasefire in Sudan and renewed commitments to end fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The AU summit, whose official theme is water security, touched on the link between climate pressures, resource scarcity, and instability.
Outgoing African Union Chairperson Joao Lourenco stressed that African nations must move from reacting to crises to shaping international agendas.
“Africa’s strength will lie in a union that is confident and united,” Lourenco said.
He stressed that the continent must assert its voice and influence global decision-making.
