Demands Permanent UN Security Council Seats
Monrovia, Liberia – The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres has issued one of his strongest calls yet for Africa’s full inclusion in global decision-making, declaring that there can be “no justice” in the world until African nations secure permanent seats on the UN Security Council and greater power within global financial institutions.
Speaking with Kenyan President William Ruto following the groundbreaking ceremony for a new conference center at the UN Office in Nairobi, Guterres sharply criticized what he called the historical and structural injustices Africa still faces while praising Kenya’s government for its ongoing support to the UN.
He said African countries remain victims of a colonial legacy that extracted resources rather than building infrastructure for Africans themselves, stressing that the continent is still paying a heavy price for exclusion from major global institutions established after World War II. “Because in 1945 Africans were not at the table, the institutions of global governance were created without African presence. There will be no justice before there are permanent African members in the Security Council,” Guterres said.
The UN chief also condemned the international financial system, describing it as deeply unfair that African nations pay more than three times higher borrowing costs than developed countries to access loans for development. He argued that many African countries with stronger growth prospects and better financial discipline are still punished by an unequal lending system dominated by Western powers.
According to him, “This is absolutely unacceptable, calling for urgent reforms in institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to ensure Africa receives its fair share of quotas, capital access, and influence.”
However, Guterres praised Africa’s youth, innovation, and leadership, saying the continent is determined to finally break free from colonial dependency and emerge as an equal force in international affairs. He also commended African governments for not only demanding justice globally but also mobilizing domestic resources to drive national development.
Addressing President Ruto directly, Guterres described Kenya as a symbol of Africa’s transformational future and pledged that his voice would remain “loud and clear” in advocating for justice for the continent. “The African continent can count on me. I will always be at your side to correct injustices,” he added.
His remarks come amid growing international pressure for reforms at the United Nations and Bretton Woods institutions, with African leaders increasingly demanding representation that reflects the continent’s population, economic potential, and global relevance.
Reported by: Prince Saah
