Ruto Calls for Permanent African Seat on UN Security Council

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NEW YORK: Kenyan President William Ruto has used the 81st United Nations General Assembly to renew calls for Africa to have permanent representation on the UN Security Council, arguing that the continent should have a greater role in decisions shaping global peace and security.

Addressing the high-level debate in New York, Mr Ruto said the UN had played an important role in advancing peace, self-determination and development, but its institutions had struggled to respond effectively to persistent conflicts, unequal application of international law and widening global inequalities.

At the centre of his remarks was the structure of the Security Council, where Africa has no permanent seat despite accounting for more than a quarter of the UN’s membership and being the focus of many of the world’s peace and security operations.

The council has 15 members, five of them permanent; China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, with the other 10 elected for two-year terms.

“Africa must have a meaningful voice in the decisions that shape global peace and security,” Ruto said, calling for permanent African representation with the same rights and privileges enjoyed by existing permanent members.

The demand is part of a longstanding African Union position on reform of the Security Council. The AU’s common position calls for at least two permanent African seats, alongside additional non-permanent seats, although the allocation of seats among African countries remains a matter for the continent to determine.

GLOBAL FINANCE

Ruto also turned his attention to the international financial system, saying the cost of borrowing continues to place pressure on developing economies and limits their ability to invest in health, education and infrastructure.

He called for greater access to affordable, long-term financing, guarantees and risk-sharing mechanisms to help countries attract investment and manage development costs.

“Development cannot remain most expensive for the countries that need investment most,” he said.

But the Kenyan president also linked international reform to domestic governance, saying governments must strengthen institutions, manage public debt responsibly, develop domestic capital markets, honour contracts and tackle corruption.

His remarks come as world leaders gather in New York under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: a United Nations that Delivers for All.”

The debate has placed renewed attention on the ability of multilateral institutions to respond to conflicts, climate pressures, economic inequality and other global challenges.

Security Council reform remains closely linked to a broader argument that the African continent should have greater influence over decisions that affect its security and development.

Ruto said Africa was seeking neither charity nor preferential treatment, but a greater role in shaping the international system.

“We seek a fair opportunity and a meaningful voice in shaping our common future,” he said.