President William Ruto has voiced strong criticism of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during his address at the UN General Assembly on September 27, 2024. He characterized the UNSC as dysfunctional, undemocratic, and unaccountable, highlighting its failure to adequately represent the interests of Africa, which comprises 54 countries and over 1.4 billion people.
Ruto’s remarks underscore a long-standing concern among African nations regarding their representation within the UNSC, which currently consists of five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom) that hold veto power. He emphasized that it is unacceptable for a single nation to have the authority to veto decisions affecting the entire assembly of 193 member states.
In his speech, Ruto called for urgent reforms to make the Security Council more representative, inclusive, and accountable. He urged member states to advocate for changes that would ensure that Africa has a permanent voice in the council, aligning with the sentiments expressed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who has also pushed for reforms to address the outdated structure of the UNSC.
Guterres pointed out that Africa’s perspectives on peace and security issues are undervalued, and he stressed the necessity for the UNSC to adapt to the changing global landscape by granting Africa a permanent seat. The current allocation of nonpermanent seats does not reflect the continent’s significance, with only three seats reserved for African states among the ten nonpermanent positions.
Ruto’s comments resonate with the broader calls from African leaders for a more equitable and representative international governance structure, particularly concerning matters of peace and security that directly impact the continent.
President Ruto’s calls for reforming the UN Security Council and enhancing Africa’s representation are significant, especially given the continent’s growing role in global affairs. His focus on restructuring financing models with institutions like the World Bank and IMF also highlights the ongoing challenges African countries face in accessing fair financial support. This dual approach could lead to more equitable policies that directly address the needs of African nations. What are your thoughts on the potential impact of these reforms?
