Why doesn’t Africa have a permanent seat at the UN Security Council?

The United Nations Security Council is tasked with ensuring international peace and security.

It has five permanent members – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

It also has 10 other members who are elected on a regional basis for a term of two years, and among those there at the moment representing Africa are Gabon, Ghana and Kenya.

At the recent UN General Assembly – UNGA – among the many topics that were discussed, the question about having a seat on a permanent basis for Africa – which is the only world regions that’s not represented permanently - was raised.

Today Alan Kasujja is asking why doesn’t Africa have a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.

He’s been speaking with Professor Carlos Lopes, who’s held various UN roles over the years, including policy director for former and late Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

He’s professor in the Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.