The United States says it will support the introduction of two permanent seats for Africa on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, delivered an address to the Foreign Relations Council on Thursday.
The ambassador also stated that the United States will support the creation of the first non-permanent seat for a small developing island nation.
Each year, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) elects five new council members from various geographical zones to serve two-year terms.
Africa has three rotating seats on the 15-member council.
Thomas-Greenfield said:
“The problem is these elected seats don’t enable African countries to deliver the full benefit of their knowledge and voices to the work of the council, to consistently lead on the challenges that affect all of us — and disproportionately affect Africa.”
“For years, countries have been calling for a more inclusive and a more representative council, one that reflects the demographics of today’s world and better respond to the challenges that we face today,” Thomas-Greenfield told the council on foreign relations.
The US ambassador said Africa’s exclusion from the council is a disservice to the continent.
She added:
“That is why, in addition to non-permanent membership for African countries, the United States supports creating two permanent seats for Africa on the council.”
“It’s what our African partners seek, and it’s what we believe is just.”
The UN Security Council is responsible for ensuring international peace and security and has the authority to impose sanctions, weapons embargoes, and approve the use of force.
The council is made up of ten elected states with two-year terms and five permanent veto-wielding countries: Russia, China, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom.