António Guterres Backs Ruto’s Push for Africa’s Permanent Seat at UN Security Council
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has thrown his weight behind President William Ruto’s campaign for reforms at the United Nations Security Council, declaring that Africa’s continued exclusion from permanent membership is a “historic injustice” that must be corrected.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday, May 12, Guterres argued that the current structure of the Security Council no longer reflects modern geopolitical realities, especially considering Africa’s growing population, economic influence, and role in global peace and security matters.
“In the Security Council, we have three European countries as permanent members — France, the UK and Russia. We have no African country, no Latin American country, and only one Asian country,” Guterres said.
The UN chief noted that the structure of the council was designed in the aftermath of World War II during a period when many African nations were still under colonial rule and therefore excluded from shaping global governance systems.
“It is obvious that this does not correspond anymore to the world of today. So, to have two African countries as permanent members in the Security Council is essential to correct a historic injustice from colonialism,” he added.
The remarks are likely to strengthen President Ruto’s ongoing diplomatic push for sweeping reforms at the United Nations, where Kenya has increasingly positioned itself as one of Africa’s strongest voices on international governance and multilateral reforms.
Guterres also criticised the imbalance in major global financial institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, saying developing nations — particularly African states — remain underrepresented in decision-making processes.
“And again, if you look at the World Bank and the IMF, it is clear that developing countries are underrepresented, including African countries, and this creates a situation in which the international financial architecture that we have serves the interests of the richest countries,” he stated.
President Ruto has in recent months intensified calls for reforms within the United Nations system, insisting that Africa should be granted at least two permanent seats at the Security Council complete with veto powers equal to those held by the current permanent members.
Speaking during the Africa Forward Summit on Monday, May 11, Ruto argued that excluding Africa from permanent representation weakens trust in global institutions and undermines fairness within the international system.
“The reform of the United Nations Security Council is essential to addressing longstanding questions of inclusion, fairness, and the credibility of the multilateral system,” Ruto said.
“It is neither practical nor just for a continent of more than 1.5 billion people to remain excluded from permanent representation in decisions that directly affect peace, security, conflict, and global stability.”
The Kenyan president further warned that Africa can no longer continue being sidelined despite its rapidly growing population, strategic importance, and increasing influence in global affairs.
The push for Security Council reform has gained renewed momentum in recent years, with African leaders arguing that the continent remains disproportionately affected by decisions on peacekeeping, sanctions, and international conflicts despite lacking permanent representation at the world’s most powerful diplomatic body.
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