Africa must get permanent seats on Security Council – UN chief

Antonio Guterres has called for reform of the global body to better reflect the modern world order Africa’s continued lack of permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council is unjust and must be addressed, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said.

Speaking at the opening of the 81st UN General Assembly debate in New York on Tuesday, Guterres called for reform of the 15-member body to better reflect the modern global order.

Africa remains the only continent without a permanent seat on the council despite accounting for more than a quarter of UN member states and every third child born.

“We must reform the security council ...

A 21st UN security council without permanent African seats is unjust and indefensible.

This must change,” the UN chief said.

UN Security Council without permanent African seats is unjust and indefensible — Antonio Guterres ‘Security Council was designed in the aftermath of WWII, but the world has fundamentally changed since then’ https://t.co/L8S7U38rY5 pic.twitter.com/wlNk3cB5sw — RT Intl (@RT_on_X) September 22, 2026 The Security Council has five permanent members – Russia, China, the US, the UK and France – which hold veto powers, as well as ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.

African countries – the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, and Somalia – currently only participate through the latter category.

Earlier this month, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama renewed calls for permanent African representation on the Security Council, arguing that the continent’s continued exclusion undermines the legitimacy of the UN’s most powerful body.

“It is no longer acceptable for Africa to be excluded from permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council,” the leader said.

READ MORE: Ghana calls for permanent African UNSC seat Other African leaders have made similar demands.

In July, representatives of several countries renewed calls for the continent to be granted permanent representation on the Security Council, arguing that its current structure no longer reflects global realities.

The African Union’s shared position calls for at least two permanent seats with the same privileges as existing members, including veto powers.

Read more Africa demands its seat at the table.