In a significant move, the United States has announced its support for Africa’s longstanding demand for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Washington is advocating for the creation of two permanent seats for African nations, alongside a rotating seat for small island developing states, signaling a potential shift in the global power structure. U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, is expected to officially announce this development soon.
However, despite supporting the addition of new permanent members, the U.S. has made it clear that it does not favor expanding veto power beyond the current five permanent members—Russia, China, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The UNSC, the most influential body within the United Nations, is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, with the authority to impose sanctions, authorize military interventions, and approve arms embargoes. It is composed of 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. Currently, Africa holds three rotating non-permanent seats, which many believe are inadequate given the continent’s size and geopolitical importance.
The U.S.’s endorsement of Africa’s bid comes amid growing global calls for reform of the UNSC, driven by the belief that the council’s post-World War II structure no longer reflects the realities of today’s global order. The U.S. has also long supported other countries such as India, Japan, and Germany in their bids for permanent seats.
Changing the UNSC’s structure requires amending the UN Charter, which is a complex process. It requires approval from two-thirds of the General Assembly, as well as the agreement of all five current permanent members—making the path to reform difficult and often slow-moving.
For years, developing nations have been pushing for greater representation on the UNSC, but these efforts have been stalled by the complexities of global diplomacy. Recently, however, the momentum for reform has grown, spurred by global crises like the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, which have exposed the council’s inability to resolve modern conflicts efficiently. Last month, Sierra Leone led a debate at the UN advocating for two permanent African seats—a demand echoed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who emphasized the importance of Africa’s inclusion in global decision-making.
While the U.S.’s support is seen as a positive step, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield warned that it remains unclear how long the reform process might take. Although there is growing momentum for change, a clear path forward is still elusive. The key question remains: will U.S. backing provide the necessary push to finally secure Africa’s permanent place on the UNSC?
