UN Security Council: Tinubu demands two permanent seats, veto powers for Africa

President Bola Tinubu has demanded at least two permanent seats for Africa on the United Nations Security Council, with veto powers, saying the current structure no longer reflects the distribution of global power.

Tinubu made the demand on Thursday in his address to the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The President’s address, delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima, also called for five non-permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council.

Nigeria demands, in accordance with the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, at least two permanent seats for Africa, with all the rights and responsibilities of permanent membership, including the veto for as long as it exists, and five non-permanent seats in total.

The demand came against the backdrop of renewed calls for reform of the UN Security Council, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres saying Africa’s continued absence from permanent membership was “unjust and indefensible”.