Panel 3: UN Security Council Reform: The Rationale of Africa’s Quest for Permanent Membership (KAS)
Africa makes up almost one third of the total UN membership. Over 70% of UNSC resolutions concern Africa, and 40% of UN peacekeepers are deployed on the continent. Despite dominating the business of the UNSC, Africa is allocated only three non-permanent seats, without veto power. In 2005, the African Union (AU) adopted the Ezulwini Consensus, demanding two permanent African seats with veto power. The push gained momentum in 2024 when UN Secretary-General António Guterres backed Africa’s inclusion as a permanent member. A month later, the UN General Assembly adopted the Pact for the Future, which calls for an UNSC reform that addresses Africa’s historical underrepresentation.
Africa’s bid for permanent seats at the UNSC also faces competition from Germany, Japan and India who have also indicated similar aspirations. However, with the current systemic rivalry involving, and amongst the Permanent Five (P5) members of the UNSC, the possibility of this reform being vetoed by one of the P5 member states is eminent. The discussion will centre on the merits of Africa’s quest for permanent seats at the UNSC, the shrinking legitimacy of the UN and the challenges posed by emerging multilateral institutions like BRICS.
- Session Type: Panel Conversation
- Time: 2:00 pm
- Venue: Yusuf Lule CTF building at Makerere University( Broadcasted)
Meet the Panelists
Lukas Kupfernagel
Director, KAS Ethiopia/African Union
Angelo Izama
Head of Faculty, LéO Africa Institute
Amb. Dr Angok James Solomon Padiet
Professor of Political Science , University of Juba
Cynthia Chigwenya
Youth Advisory Council , Roméo Dallaire Institute for Child, Peace, and Security