Ruto pushes for Africa’s permanent membership of UN Security Council at Africa Forward Summit

Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya (NPA) — Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto has renewed calls for comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council, saying Africa’s continued exclusion from permanent representation undermines fairness, inclusion and the credibility of the global multilateral system.

Ruto stated that Africa, with a population approaching two billion people, deserves a permanent voice in decisions relating to global peace and security.

“It is neither practical nor just for a continent of more than 1.5 billion people to remain excluded from permanent representation in decisions that directly affect peace, security, conflict, and global stability,” he said.

The Kenyan president noted that the current structure of the Security Council reflects a longstanding imbalance that weakens confidence in international institutions and contradicts the principle of equal partnership among nations.

“The time has therefore come for the international community to recognise, without ambiguity and without delay,” Ruto said.

He made the remarks while chairing a roundtable session on peace and security on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi.

According to him, Africa can no longer remain subject to decisions taken without its equal participation at the global decision-making table.

“Africa cannot, and will not, remain subject to decisions taken without its equal voice at the table,” he added.

Kenya is hosting the Africa Forward Summit, which has attracted African and global leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The summit aims to strengthen Africa-France partnerships through concrete and investment-driven commitments in areas including innovation, infrastructure, sustainable growth, digital transformation and reforms to the global financial system.

Organisers say the summit aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 framework focused on inclusive development, economic sovereignty and long-term continental transformation.

The gathering has brought together African Heads of State, representatives of the African Union, international financial institutions, private sector leaders, civil society groups and youth organisations.

Discussions at the summit are focused on producing measurable outcomes rather than symbolic declarations, particularly in sectors such as green industrialisation, energy transition, vaccine production, healthcare systems, agriculture and food security.

The summit also seeks to redefine Africa’s role in global partnerships by promoting cooperation based on mutual respect, balanced engagement and Africa’s long-term strategic priorities.