Ruto Demands Africa’s Permanent Seat at UN Security Council

President William Ruto has reaffirmed Kenya’s support for Africa’s push to secure permanent representation at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), terming the continent’s continued exclusion as “unacceptable and indefensible.”

Speaking at the 7th Summit of the Committee of Ten (C-10) Heads of State and Government on UN Security Council Reform, held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York and convened by Sierra Leone, President Ruto emphasized the need to correct what he described as a “historic injustice.”

“The time has come to make the United Nations fit for purpose. Africa’s exclusion from the Security Council is not justifiable by any measure, and we must correct this injustice,” he said.

He urged African leaders to unite behind the Common African Position, amplify Africa’s voice across all platforms, and remain steadfast in demanding fair representation.

At the same time, the President stressed that Africa must also be ready to take on the obligations of permanent membership, including finding a consensus on how to select representatives to the Council.

Kenya, he assured, will continue to fully back the continent’s collective efforts to ensure Africa’s demands are no longer deferred.

The Committee of Ten, established by the African Union, is tasked with advocating for the continent’s position in ongoing global negotiations on UNSC reform.