WILSON BABANGIDA ADVOCATES FOR AFRICA’S PERMANENT SEAT AT THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL - A CALL TO ACTION

 

Time for Action: Advocating for Africa’s Permanent Seat at the UN Security Council

The world today is witnessing unprecedented global shifts in power, politics, and diplomacy. As nations face an increasingly interconnected future, the need for fair representation and global inclusivity has never been more critical. One glaring omission from this global governance structure is the absence of African representation as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). This is not a time for “hope,” as UN Chief António Guterres mentioned during his visit to Ethiopia on October 21, 2024, but a time for action—decisive action from both African leaders and the United Nations.

 

A World in Flux: Africa's Place at the Table

Africa, with its diverse population of over 1.4 billion people—the second largest of any continent—plays an integral role in the world's economy, politics, and security. However, Africa's exclusion from permanent representation at the UNSC marginalizes the continent in crucial global decision-making processes. The exclusion is not due to a lack of potential or capability, but due to historical inequalities that persist in global governance structures. The world is moving at breakneck speed, and Africa must not be left behind.

 

Africa’s Contributions to Global Peace and Security

The UNSC, responsible for maintaining international peace and security, is the most powerful body within the UN system. It is the main forum where decisions regarding conflicts, sanctions, and peacekeeping missions are made. Africa, however, continues to be underrepresented in this forum, despite contributing significantly to UN peacekeeping efforts.

African nations, particularly Nigeria and Egypt, have been key contributors of troops in various UN peacekeeping missions, playing vital roles in maintaining global peace. Nigerian troops, in particular, have been commended for their gallantry and professionalism across conflict zones. By having a permanent seat at the UNSC, Africa would not only boost its morale but also formalize its commitment to international peace and security.

 

Economic and Strategic Potential

Africa is not just a participant in global security but also an economic powerhouse with enormous untapped potential. The continent boasts 30% of the world’s mineral resources, 9% of global oil reserves, and 65% of the world’s arable land. These are critical resources that the global economy relies on, particularly for the growing demands in technology, energy, and food security. A permanent seat at the UNSC is not only a matter of justice but also global economic sustainability. Africa's inclusion is a no-brainer—fostering a world order that is truly representative and equipped to meet future challenges.

 

The Global African Influence

African leadership on the global stage is not new. The continent has produced some of the world’s most prominent diplomats, thought leaders, and peace advocates. Individuals like Kofi Annan from Ghana, the former UN Secretary-General from Ghana, played a pivotal role in global peace efforts. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala from Nigeria, the current Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has been instrumental in global economic governance. Amina J. Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, continues to push for sustainable development worldwide, while Maryam Bukar Hassan from Nigeria, a global youth leader and poet, speaks for inclusion and empowerment.

Moreover, the contributions of African statesmen like Boutros Boutros-Ghali from Egypt, the former UN Secretary-General, underline Africa’s capability to steer international organizations. The continent has produced multiple high-ranking officials in the UN system, including Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande from Nigeria (former UNGA President) and Ibrahim Gambari from Nigeria (former UN Under-Secretary-General), to name a few.

 

Global Inclusion for a Better World

The calls for Africa’s inclusion at the UNSC are not merely symbolic gestures. They represent a practical and urgent necessity for a more balanced, inclusive, and effective global governance system. For too long, Africa has been sidelined from the world’s most powerful decision-making body. The continent’s exclusion has often meant that its interests and challenges are underrepresented, even as its resources and people contribute greatly to the world’s well-being.

As the second-largest continent in both population and resource endowment, Africa must be included in any global framework that seeks to address issues such as climate change, global security, and sustainable development. The voices of African leaders must not only be heard but must also shape decisions that affect not only the continent but the world at large.

 

Decisive Leadership for Global Diplomacy

It is time for African leaders to be deliberate and decisive in their participation in world politics, international relations, and global diplomacy. The continent has a rich history and vast human and natural resources, but unless African leaders push for inclusion at the highest levels, much of its potential will remain unrealized. The United Nations, as the largest body for global peace, security, and development, must take bold steps to make room for Africa’s voice at the UNSC.

 

A Call for Action

I, Wilson Babangida Agboti, from Nigeria, join my fellow Africans in lending our voices to this crucial call: it is time for the United Nations to grant Africa a permanent seat at the Security Council. This inclusion will not only harness the vast potential of the continent but will also ensure that decisions about global peace and security are truly represented and sustainable.

Africa is not asking for charity; it is asking for its rightful place at the table. The time for hope has passed. The time for action is now.

Publication date: 23rd October, 2024.