Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on Saturday reiterated calls for structural changes in the U.N Security Council to grant Africa a larger role in shaping global decisions.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on Saturday renewed his call for reforms to the United Nations Security Council, urging changes that would give Africa a stronger role in global decision-making.
Speaking at a Russia–Africa partnership conference in Cairo, el-Sissi advocated a “more pluralistic” international order. The meeting was attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, ministers from more than 50 African nations, and representatives of several African and regional organisations.
In a statement delivered by Egypt’s foreign minister during the conference’s plenary session, el-Sissi said Africa’s voice must be “present and influential” in shaping global decisions, citing the continent’s human, economic, political and demographic significance. He also called for reforms to international financial institutions to ensure fair representation for African countries.
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The African Union has been pushing since 2005 for Africa to be allocated two permanent seats with veto powers on the Security Council, arguing that such changes would help promote peace and stability across a continent that has faced decades of conflict.
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The Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, has not changed from its 1945 configuration: 10 non-permanent members from all regions of the world elected for two-year terms without veto power, and five countries that were dominant powers at the end of World War II are permanent members with veto power: the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France.
In his statement, el-Sissi said that the Russia-Africa ministerial conference will develop a plan to consolidate the partnership ahead of next year’s summit of heads of state.
“We remain a reliable partner for African states in strengthening their national sovereignty, both politically and in matters of security, as well as in other dimensions,” Lavrov said at the the plenary session. “We’re committed to further unlocking the existing enormous potential of our practical cooperation.”
The forum has gained momentum after the 2023 summit in the Russian city of of St. Petersburg, where President Vladimir Putin sought support of Afri