Will current geopolitical changes prompt Africa to obtain permanent Security Council membership?

The reform of the international order has remained an urgent concern for many of those interested in the course of international justice. On top of the demands for reform is the expansion of the United Nations Security Council to democratize and amend historical grievances.

Despite the radical geopolitical shifts at the global level since the formation of the Security Council in 1945, the council's image has not changed much. The victorious Allies in World War II drafted the United Nations Charter in accordance with their interests, by acquiring permanent seats and the associated veto power, in accordance with Article 108 of the UN Charter.

Africa and the Council

Decolonization represented a new era for Africa in dealing with geopolitical realities, as it increased self-awareness of sovereignty, which required an increasing presence in the international scene. Hence, Africa has repeatedly demanded to reform the Security Council, which was formed before the majority of African countries gained their independence, and to have permanent members from the continent with veto power.

To understand the African demand, two points must be taken into account. First, Africa has the largest membership in the United Nations General Assembly, with 54 countries representing 28% of the member states. Secondly, being responsible for the maintenance of global peace and security, the majority of the Security Council's work is in Africa, which hosts most of the UN peacekeeping missions. However, these missions have failed to act effectively in the face of violent situations in Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan and Libya.

Ezulwini Consensus

In 2005, the African Union (AU) presented a common African position for Council Reform, called the Ezulwini Consensus after the valley in Swaziland where the agreement was reached. The document addressed major issues in the UN system, the most important of which is the necessity of a new structure for the UNSC, and obtaining a stronger voice for Africa and its fair representation in the decision-making processes in the UN.

During the 59th session of the General Assembly, on July 18, 2005, the AU presented its proposal for a complete reform. The draft called for the UNSC to expand the two existing categories of seats (permanent and non-permanent), with all rights attributed to the current permanent members also granted to new permanent seats, including the right of veto. The proposal consists of an increase of 11 additional seats and the creation of two permanent and two non-permanent seats for Africa.

Post Ukrainian war 

In a major development last September, US President Joe Biden told the United Nations General Assembly that the United States would support reform of the Security Council, specifically the addition of permanent members from Africa.

Policy researchers and analysts have talked about a new cold war that has swept the world since the beginning of the second decade of the 21st century, and in particular since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Western position in support of Ukraine. Like all major events, the confrontations moved to other locations, with other goals and tools.

Biden's support comes in the context of his administration's recent interest in Africa. His support came just weeks before the US-Africa Leaders' Summit aimed at strengthening the US-Africa partnership.

Last August, the Biden administration announced a new African strategy to challenge the policies of China and Russia on the continent and to ensure the national security interests of the United States. The new strategy claims that, in contrast to China and Russia viewing Africa as an opportunity to challenge the rules-based international order and focus on their own personal interests, Washington sees Africans as vital partners with common priorities.

The matter is not exclusive to the United States only. On January 13, the French and German foreign ministers expressed their support for Africa to obtain two permanent seats in the UN Security Council.

After their meeting with AU Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that she and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna added their support for African pressure to obtain permanent seats in the Security Council.

“As European partners we see that the world in 2023 is not the same than that after World War Two, and therefore we are supporting two permanent seats for the African continent,” Baerbock said.