Africa’s longstanding push for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has received a crucial boost from the United States. The U.S. has announced its support for the creation of two permanent seats for African nations on the council, as well as an additional rotating seat for small island developing states. The U.S. backing signals a potential shift in the global conversation surrounding reform of the UNSC, and the official announcement is expected to be made soon by U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
However, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield made it clear that while the U.S. supports increasing the number of permanent members, it does not endorse expanding veto power beyond the current five nations—Russia, China, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The UNSC, which is tasked with maintaining global peace and security, holds significant authority, including the ability to impose sanctions, authorize military actions, and enforce arms embargoes. The council consists of 15 members: five permanent members with veto power and 10 non-permanent members who serve two-year terms. Africa currently holds three non-permanent, rotating seats.
The U.S.’s support for permanent African seats comes amid renewed calls for UNSC reform, driven by geopolitical challenges like the ongoing war in Ukraine and the Gaza conflict, both of which have exposed divisions within the council. In addition to Africa, the U.S. has long supported the inclusion of countries like India, Japan, and Germany as permanent members.
Any reform to the UNSC requires an amendment to the UN Charter, which mandates approval from two-thirds of the General Assembly, including agreement from the current five permanent members—a process that has long stalled meaningful changes to the council’s composition.
Developing nations have been advocating for permanent seats on the UNSC for years, but little progress has been made despite numerous rounds of discussions. However, momentum for reform has increased in recent years, particularly following a debate convened by Sierra Leone last month in which African nations called for two permanent seats. The push for reform has also been supported by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who emphasized that Africa’s voice must be heard.
Despite the U.S. endorsement, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield cautioned that the timeline for reform remains uncertain, and there is no clear path to achieving a General Assembly vote on the matter. While the demand for change is growing, significant obstacles remain. The key question is whether the U.S. backing will accelerate the long-overdue reform process and secure Africa’s rightful place at the global decision-making table.
