Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has described Africa’s continued exclusion from the group of permanent members of the United Nations Security Council as an injustice for one of the world’s largest continents.
Speaking at the 7th African Union Committee of Ten (AU C-10) Summit in New York on Sunday, convened to mark the 20th anniversary of the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, Nandi-Ndaitwah urged the UN to evolve in line with contemporary geopolitical realities.
“The 80th anniversary of the United Nations is an opportune time for us to reflect on the values and principles upon which this organisation is grounded,” she said.
“Africa deserves permanence at all global decision forums, especially those seized with making decisions related to the maintenance of international peace and security.”
The Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, adopted in 2005, form the Common African Position on the Reform of the UN Security Council, calling for at least two permanent seats with veto power and five non-permanent seats for Africa.
The AU C-10, a group of 10 heads of state mandated to advocate for this position, has since led diplomatic efforts to push for reform.
Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that Africa’s exclusion from permanent membership on the Council remains a historical injustice despite the continent’s growing role in global peacekeeping, diplomacy and development.
“For two decades, the Common African Position has gained traction, with broad support from many interest groups,” she said.
“This is our reminder that our quest to redress historical injustice and advance equity for a more inclusive and representative Security Council is JUST and commonly shared.”
The call for reform comes amid growing criticism of the UN’s structure, which many argue reflects post-World War II power dynamics rather than current global realities.
Africa, home to over 1.4 billion people and 54 member states, remains one of the two continents without permanent representation on the council. The other one is South America.
The AU C-10 Summit was attended by senior African leaders, diplomats and UN officials who reiterated support for the Common African Position and called for accelerated negotiations within the UN’s intergovernmental negotiations framework.
JN/APA