Africa has gained significant backing from the United Nations, with the United States supporting the addition of two permanent seats for African countries on the UN Security Council. U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, announced this support on September 12, 2024, marking a concrete step by the Biden-Harris administration to expand the Security Council.
While the U.S. has long favored expanding the Council, this recent proposal aligns with Africa’s nearly 30-year demand for equitable representation, echoed by Russia’s similar stance earlier this year. This move supports Africa’s call to correct historical imbalances, as outlined in the 2005 Ezulwini Consensus by the African Union (AU). Currently, Africa, with nearly 30% of UN member states, holds only three non-permanent seats on the Council.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently highlighted the Security Council’s legitimacy issues and the need for reform. However, the U.S. proposal stops short of extending veto power beyond the current five permanent members: the U.S., UK, France, China, and Russia.
If the proposal is adopted, the next challenge will be selecting which African countries will fill the seats, with likely candidates including major economic and military powers such as South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Senegal, Ethiopia, etc.