At the 7th Summit of the Committee of 10 (C-10) Heads of State and Government, held during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, Kenyan President William Ruto issued a strong call for unity among African leaders in advocating for comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
President Ruto condemned Africa’s continued exclusion from permanent membership on the Security Council as both “unacceptable and indefensible,” emphasizing that the continent bears a disproportionate burden of the Council’s agenda while lacking a permanent voice in its decision-making processes.
“Africa remains the only continent without permanent representation. This historic injustice must end. The time to act is now,” said President Ruto.
The Summit, convened by Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio, brought together key African leaders including Angola’s President João Lourenço (also AU Chair), Namibia’s Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. They collectively reinforced Africa’s Common Position on Security Council reform — a demand for at least two permanent seats and five non-permanent seats for Africa.
President Ruto urged African nations to speak in one voice across bilateral, regional, and multilateral platforms, underscoring the necessity for solidarity in order to secure fair representation.
He also highlighted Africa’s readiness to take on the responsibilities that come with permanent membership, calling for consensus on how representatives will be selected — a process he described as “delicate but vital,” and a testament to Africa’s maturity and vision for a just global order.
President Maada reiterated that African representation on the UNSC is not a request but a legitimate and non-negotiable demand, while other leaders emphasized the urgent need to rectify the systemic imbalance that has marginalized Africa for decades.
“Africa will no longer wait on the margins of history,” said AU Commission Chair Youssouf.
“No reform can succeed without a united Africa,” added President Maada.
In closing, President Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s full support for the Common African Position and pledged to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure Africa’s voice is no longer ignored.
