Guterres calls for Africa Security Council seat

UN chief António Guterres has called for Africa to be given a permanent seat at the UN Security Council as part of reforms to correct historical injustices. BBC News reports that the Security Council – the five permanent members of which are China, France, Russia, the UK and the US – has frequently been criticised for representing the realities that prevailed at the end of World War 11 when much of Africa was still under colonial rule. ‘The world has changed since 1945. But the composition of the council, despite a few changes, has not kept pace,’ Guterres said. The AU has long been pushing for the continent to have two permanent representatives on the council and an additional two seats as non-permanent representatives. Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio on Monday said ‘the time for half-measures and incremental progress is over. ‘Africa must be heard, and its demands for justice and equity must be met,’ he added. Guterres also pointed out that almost half of all UN peacekeeping operations were in Africa and 40% of UN peacekeepers were African.