Africa’s Quest for Permanent Seats on the UN Security Council: Addressing Historical Injustices and Representation

A person wearing a traditional outfit with African-inspired patterns stands at the forefront of a large, formal assembly hall. They are holding a document. The hall is filled with delegates seated at desks labeled with country names. A large emblem is displayed on the wall behind the speaker's podium, above which multiple screens show a person delivering a speech. The overall atmosphere suggests an international conference or meeting.
Africas quest for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council seeks to address historical injustices and enhance representation in global governance Image generated by DALL E

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

Support African Elements at patreon.com/africanelements and hear recent news in a single playlist. Additionally, you can gain early access to ad-free video content.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
Africa’s push for UN Security Council reform is driven by historical injustices.
The Ezulwini Consensus calls for two permanent seats for Africa with veto power.
Africa comprises 54 UN member states and plays a significant role in peacekeeping.
The current UNSC structure reflects outdated power dynamics established post-World War II.
Global support for Africa’s representation is growing, including backing from the US.
African contributions to global peace and security strengthen the case for permanent seats.
The inclusion of Africa in the UNSC would enhance equity in global governance.
Colonial legacies continue to impact Africa’s absence in permanent UN decision-making.
Implementing UNSC reforms involves complex diplomatic negotiations and consensus-building.

UN Security Council Reform: A Long-Overdue Change

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has long symbolized global power and decision-making. Yet, its structure remains frozen in time, reflecting a world order that no longer exists. The call for UN Security Council reform has grown louder, with Africa at the forefront of this push for change.

The current makeup of the UNSC is a relic of post-World War II power dynamics. It fails to represent the modern world, especially the Global South. This outdated structure has led to a growing demand for reform, particularly from African nations who feel their voices are not heard on the global stage.

Security Council Resolutions on Non-International Armed Conflicts (NIACs) from 1990 to 2013

Source: The Contributions of United Nations Security Council Resolutions to the Law of Non-International Armed Conflict: New Evidence of Customary International Law This chart shows the number of Security Council resolutions on NIACs and the types of obligations imposed. The y-axis represents the binding nature of the language used, with 1 being non-binding, 2 possibly binding, and 3 clearly binding. The size of each point represents the frequency of use for each type of language.

Africa’s call for reform is not just about representation. It’s about addressing historical injustices and ensuring that decisions affecting the continent are made with direct input from those most impacted. The push for reform has become a rallying cry for decolonizing the composition of the Council.

The Current Structure of the UNSC

To understand the need for reform, we must first look at the current structure of the Security Council. The UNSC consists of 15 members:

  • 5 permanent members (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States)
  • 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms

This structure has remained unchanged since the UN’s founding in 1945. The five permanent members, the P5, hold veto power over any UNSC resolution. This gives them outsized influence in global affairs and often leads to gridlock on crucial issues (UN FAQ).

The African Position on UNSC Reform

Africa’s position on UNSC reform is clear and unified. The continent demands:

  • Two permanent seats with veto power
  • Two additional non-permanent seats
  • A total of five non-permanent seats for African nations

This position, known as the Ezulwini Consensus, was adopted by the African Union in 2005. It emphasizes the need for African representation in the UNSC and highlights its outdated structure (UN Press).

African Representation in UN: A Matter of Justice and Equity

The case for African representation in the UNSC is compelling. Africa is home to 54 of the UN’s 193 member states, accounting for 1.3 billion of the world’s population. Moreover, the continent hosts the majority of UN peacekeeping operations.

Despite this significant presence, Africa lacks a permanent voice in the UNSC. This absence is not just a matter of representation; it’s a question of justice and equity in global governance.

The Impact of Colonial Legacy on Africa’s Global Standing

The current structure of the UNSC is a stark reminder of the colonial impacts on Africa. The absence of African nations in the permanent membership category reflects the historical injustices that have shaped global power dynamics.

Colonial powers carved up Africa without regard for its people or existing societies. This legacy continues to impact Africa’s standing in global institutions like the UN. The push for UNSC reform is part of a broader effort to address these historical wrongs and assert Africa’s rightful place on the world stage.

Africa’s Contributions to Global Peace and Security

Africa’s case for permanent representation is strengthened by its significant contributions to global peace and security. The continent:

  1. Hosts the majority of UN peacekeeping operations
  2. Contributes troops and police to UN missions worldwide
  3. Plays a crucial role in regional conflict resolution

These contributions underscore the need for Africa to have a permanent voice in decisions that often directly impact its people and resources.

The Ezulwini Consensus: Africa’s Unified Voice for UNSC Reform

The Ezulwini Consensus represents Africa’s unified position on UNSC reform. Named after the valley in Eswatini where it was adopted, this consensus demands that Africa be given:

  • Two permanent seats with all rights and privileges, including veto power
  • Five non-permanent seats

The consensus also calls for the abolition of the veto power. However, if the veto is retained, it argues that it should be extended to all new permanent members as a matter of justice (ACCORD).

Challenges in Implementing the Ezulwini Consensus

While the Ezulwini Consensus presents a clear vision, its implementation faces several challenges:

  1. The veto issue: The current P5 is unlikely to give up its veto power or extend it to new members.
  2. Selection process: There’s no agreed process for selecting which African states would represent the continent in permanent seats.
  3. Resistance from current permanent members: Any change to the UNSC structure requires the agreement of all P5 members.

These challenges highlight the complex nature of UNSC reform and the need for continued dialogue and negotiation.

Global Support for Africa’s Position

Despite these challenges, Africa’s call for reform has gained support from various quarters. The United States, for instance, has expressed support for increasing both permanent and non-permanent representatives on the Council, including permanent seats for African countries (US Mission to the UN).

This growing support reflects a recognition of the need to address historical injustices and enhance Africa’s effective representation in the UNSC. It also acknowledges Africa’s growing role in global affairs and its potential to contribute to international peace and security.

UNSC Permanent Seats: The Case for African Inclusion

Security Council Composition and Election Process

Source: On what basis was Security Council permanent membership granted? This chart shows the composition of the Security Council, highlighting the proportion of permanent (5) and non-permanent (10) members. The total number of members is 15, and non-permanent members serve 2-year terms.

The push for African permanent seats on the UNSC is rooted in several key arguments:

  • Demographic representation: Africa’s large and growing population deserves a permanent voice.
  • Geopolitical importance: The continent’s strategic significance in global affairs cannot be ignored.
  • The moral imperative: Addressing historical injustices requires giving Africa a seat at the table.

Including Africa in the permanent membership category would ensure that decisions affecting the continent are made with meaningful input from those most impacted. It would also bring diverse perspectives to global security discussions, potentially leading to more effective and equitable solutions.

The Impact of African Permanent Seats on Global Governance

Including African nations as permanent UNSC members could significantly reshape global governance. It would:

  1. Bring new perspectives to global security discussions
  2. Enhance the legitimacy of UNSC decisions, especially those affecting Africa
  3. Promote more balanced and inclusive global decision-making

These changes could lead to more effective responses to global challenges and a more equitable international order.

Historical Injustices Africa: The Role of UNSC Reform in Addressing Past Wrongs

The push for UNSC reform is intimately tied to addressing historical injustices against Africa. The current structure of the UNSC reflects a world order established when much of Africa was under colonial rule. This exclusion has perpetuated power imbalances and marginalized African voices in global decision-making.

African Representation in UN and Peacekeeping Operations

Source: Africa on Menu, but Lacks Permanent Seat at Table, Political … This chart illustrates Africa’s representation in the UN and its role in peacekeeping operations. The bar chart shows the number of African states compared to the total UN member states, while the pie chart represents Africa’s share of the world population (17%). The high proportion of peacekeeping operations hosted by Africa is noted but not quantified due to lack of specific data.

Reforming the UNSC to include African permanent members would be a significant step toward rectifying these historical wrongs. It would acknowledge Africa’s right to shape global affairs and decisions directly impacting its people and resources.

The Legacy of Colonialism in International Institutions

The exclusion of Africa from permanent UNSC membership is a stark reminder of the ongoing legacy of colonialism in international institutions. This legacy is evident in:

  • The composition of key decision-making bodies
  • The distribution of power in global governance structures
  • The priorities and perspectives that dominate international discourse

Addressing these imbalances through UNSC reform would be a significant step towards decolonizing global governance structures.

Reforming the UNSC: Challenges and Opportunities

While the case for reforming the UNSC is strong, the path to change is fraught with challenges. Any reform requires the agreement of all five permanent members, who may have different priorities and concerns.

However, these challenges also present opportunities. The growing global consensus on the need for reform provides a platform for meaningful dialogue and negotiation. For instance, the upcoming Summit of the Future is seen as a potential platform for addressing historical injustices and enhancing Africa’s effective representation in the UNSC.

The Role of Diplomatic Negotiations in UNSC Reform

Achieving UNSC reform will require skilled diplomacy and negotiation. Key aspects of this process include:

  1. Building consensus among UN member states
  2. Addressing concerns of current permanent members
  3. Developing a phased approach to implementing reforms

Success in these negotiations could pave the way for a more representative and effective Security Council.

Conclusion: The Path Forward for Africa’s UNSC Aspirations

The quest for African permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council is more than a matter of representation. It’s about addressing historical injustices, ensuring Africa’s voice is heard in global affairs, and creating a more equitable international order.

While challenges remain, the growing support for UNSC reform provides hope for change. As the world continues to evolve, so too must its institutions. Including Africa in the permanent membership of the UNSC is not just right for Africa—it’s essential for a more just and effective global governance system.

The path forward may be complex, but the goal is clear: a Security Council that truly represents the world it serves, with Africa playing its rightful role in shaping global peace and security.

FAQ

Q: Why is there a need for reform in the UN Security Council?
A: The current structure of the UN Security Council (UNSC) is outdated and does not reflect the modern world order. It primarily represents post-World War II power dynamics. It fails to adequately include voices from the Global South, especially African nations, who feel their perspectives are overlooked in global decision-making.

Q: What does Africa’s position regarding UNSC reform entail?
A: Africa’s position, known as the Ezulwini Consensus, demands two permanent seats with veto power, two additional non-permanent seats, and a total of five non-permanent seats for African nations in the UNSC. This reflects the continent’s need for proper representation in global governance.

Q: How many member states does Africa have in the UN?
A: Africa is home to 54 of the UN’s 193 member states, representing a significant portion of the global population and geopolitical landscape.

Q: What historical injustices shape Africa’s call for permanent UNSC seats?
A: African nations’ absence from the permanent membership of the UNSC reflects colonial legacies and historical injustices that have marginalized African voices in global governance. The current structure perpetuates power imbalances established during a time when many African regions were under colonial rule.

Q: What challenges does the Ezulwini Consensus face?
A: Challenges include the reluctance of current permanent members to relinquish or extend veto power, the lack of an agreed process for selecting representative African states, and the necessity that any changes to UNSC structure require the consensus of all P5 members.

Q: What potential impact could African permanent seats on the UNSC have?
A: Including African nations as permanent members could lead to richer perspectives in global security discussions, enhance the legitimacy of UNSC decisions affecting Africa, and promote a more balanced and inclusive approach to international governance.

Q: What are the opportunities for reforming the UNSC?
A: The growing global consensus for reform provides meaningful dialogue and negotiation opportunities. Events like the upcoming Summit of the Future can serve as platforms for discussing the historical injustices faced by Africa and enhancing its representation in the UNSC.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.