The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, reiterated Africa’s demand for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Speaking in New York, Mahamat emphasized that the continued exclusion of the continent from permanent representation, 80 years after the UN’s founding, constitutes a profound injustice.
During a high-level open debate at the Security Council, focusing on reaffirming international rule of law, Mahamat questioned the legitimacy of a system that silences a continent of 1.4 billion people. “How can a continent of 1.4 billion people not have a voice in decisions that determine its fate?” he asked, labeling the situation an “injustice” that undermines the Security Council’s effectiveness and credibility.
The AU Commission Chairperson highlighted the unified African position advocating for a permanent seat with full rights, including veto power. He also called for the entrenchment of international fairness and justice principles and greater cooperation between the UN and regional organizations, particularly the African Union, as outlined in Chapter VIII of the UN Charter. He further advocated for partnerships built on mutual respect, integration, and shared responsibility.
“We meet today at a pivotal moment for multilateralism,” Mahamat stated. “The international system, for eight decades, has provided a degree of relative stability. However, it now faces a fragile situation, manifested in unilateral measures that have become commonplace and a decline in trust in international organizations.”
He stressed Africa’s unwavering commitment to multilateralism, warning that “no state, no matter how powerful, can face the current challenges alone.” These challenges, including terrorism, climate change, pandemics, poverty, and deteriorating security, “do not recognize borders and require a collective response based on international law and genuine cooperation.”
Mahamat asserted that Africa’s advocacy for the rule of law at the international level is not merely theoretical but stems from the belief that it forms the basis for sovereignty, dignity, stability, and sustainable development. He pointed to Africa’s engagement in peace efforts as evidence of this commitment.
The African Union’s renewed call underscores the continent’s determination to play a more significant role in global decision-making and to address the historical imbalances within the UN Security Council. The push for a permanent seat reflects Africa’s growing influence and its commitment to a more equitable and representative international order.
