Africa Divided On Security Council Seats, Says Us Ambassador

Africa is not unified on what it would mean to have two permanent seats on the UN Security Council, despite the continents demands for representation, according to the outgoing US ambassador to the United Nations.

Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who has been in the post since 2021 and previously served as US assistant secretary of state for African affairs from 2013 to 2017, said competing claims for eligibility were likely if Africa was granted two seats on the decision-making body.

Nigeria says its not a question, of course, Nigeria is going to get one. And South Africa says this is not up for discussion. And then I hear from Ethiopia we should have always had a permanent seat, we were a victor in World War II, so what are you talking about? Of course, Ethiopia is going to have a permanent seat.

I dont think the continent is unified on what it will mean to have two permanent seats.

Although Africa is of critical importance to global affairs and is often the main subject of the UN Security Council discussions, no African nation currently holds a permanent seat on the Council.