Shettima Advocates for Africa's UN Security Council Seats

On September 24, during the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, advocated for Africa's permanent representation on the UN Security Council, including veto power for its permanent members. Shettima argued that the UN reform must start with the Security Council, stating that the global power distribution of 1945 is outdated.

He demanded at least two permanent seats for Africa, along with five non-permanent seats, in accordance with the Ezulwini Consensus and the CFTA Declaration. This was Shettima's third consecutive address on this issue at the UNGA.

Other African leaders, including Kenyan President William Ruto, Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie, Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boaki, and Ghana’s President John Mahama, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for reform to restore trust and credibility in the UN system. However, the response from established powers within the UN was not as supportive.