United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has backed President William Ruto's push for a permanent seat reserved for African countries at the United Nations Security Council.

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In a statement on Wednesday, September 23, Guterres said the current composition of the Security Council no longer reflected the realities of the 21st century.

He described the move to deny African nations permanent seats in the Council as unjust and indefensible, calling for reforms that would give the Council greater legitimacy and effectiveness in addressing global challenges.

"Africa still has no permanent seat on the Security Council. A 21st-century Security Council without permanent African representation is unjust & indefensible," Guterres stated.

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The UN chef further called for wider reforms in the Security Council, demanding that Africa be given a permanent seat.

"We must reform the Council so that it reflects today’s world with the legitimacy and effectiveness that today’s challenges demand," he added.

His remarks come as Ruto continues to advocate for reforms to global institutions, including the UN Security Council.

The president has been captured on several occasions calling for at least two permanent seats at the UN Security Council for Africans, stating that the will of 54 countries cannot be decided without the input of the countries' representatives.

"You cannot claim to be the United Nations while disregarding the voice of 54 nations. It is not possible. Africa is no longer willing to wait on the margins of global governance. At the same time, decisions about peace, security, and development are made without our understanding, without our perspectives. Without our voice," Ruto stated in a past United Nations General Assembly.

"Africa demands at the very least two permanent seats with full rights, including the right to veto,  and two additional non-permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council. The world must understand that reforming the Security Council is not a favor to Africa or to anybody. It is a necessity for the United Nations' own survival," he added.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke