African countries, represented by the African Union Committee of Ten on Security Council Reform, have united in a call for the correction of historical injustices and the inclusion of Africa in permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.
During the 11th meeting of foreign ministers, the Committee of Ten, emphasized the need for the Security Council to rectify the exclusion of Africa. Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf highlighted that the work plan of the Committee is focused on strengthening the African position in government negotiations, enhancing communication with various actors, and expanding international support for Africa’s representation in the Security Council.
The AU committee of ten is tasked with the responsibility of spearheading the reform initiative at the United Nations security Council, including pushing for greater representation of Africa at the United Nations security Council.
According to Kenya’s permanent representative at the AU, George Orina, it is imperative that Africa is effectively represented in the U.N security Council. As it is today, Africa is the only continent that does not have a single permanent seat withinbthe UNSC, despite the fact that more than 75% of the work of the U.S. Security Council is about Africa. He reiterated that for Africa to be fully represented, it needs to have two permanentseats within the U.S, security Council, and to improve the number non permanent seats from the current three to five.
The Committee, established by the AU in 2005, aims to coordinate African countries’ unified stance in UN reform discussions to elevate African representation in the Security Council.
Member states of the C10 include Uganda, Kenya, Namibia,S. Leon, Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Senegal, Zambia, the Republic of Congo, Algeria.
