Editorial: Africa Deserves a Permanent Voice at the Global Table

As Nigeria addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Africa’s exclusion from permanent membership of the UN Security Council deserves renewed attention. The continent has 54 UN member states and more than one billion people, yet no permanent voice in a body that makes major decisions on war, peace, sanctions and security. Africa’s demand, set out in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, is for at least two permanent and five non-permanent seats on a reformed Council. This is not a request for privilege. It is a demand for a fairer and more legitimate international system that reflects today’s world rather than the power balance of 1945. Reform must also include fairer access to development finance, sustainable debt arrangements, technology transfer and greater local value from Africa’s strategic minerals. Nigeria can play a leading role, but its case will be strongest when it advances the wider African position with unity and purpose. Africa should no longer be treated only as the subject of global decisions. It deserves a meaningful and permanent role in making them.

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