Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima made a demand for a changed Security Council in a speech to the UN General Assembly.
The Security Council must be expanded. Our continent deserves a place among the permanent members, said Shettima.
Attempts to reform the powerful Security Council have been ongoing for decades, including through Swedish diplomats' initiatives, but without success.
Five permanent
The five permanent members, the USA, Russia, China, France, and the UK, all have veto power in the Council. An additional ten member states are elected for two-year terms.
Growing demands are being heard again, particularly from countries in Africa and Latin America, as they believe the Council reflects an outdated world view.
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also demanded in his speech to the UN General Assembly that the Council be changed, as the composition is "an unacceptable echo of power abuse from a bygone colonial era".
Ramaphosa in the lead
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa is also among the strong advocates for a change.
The five permanent member states have previously shown reluctance towards a change – not least the crucial veto power.
President Emmanuel Macron did, however, make a slight change in the French approach to veto power.
It is not enough to reform the composition of the Council. I also want veto power to be reformed, said Macron, proposing that veto should not be allowed in cases involving massive crimes.
US President Joe Biden expressed support for Council reform – without commenting on veto power – in his speech to the General Assembly.
The UN must adapt and allow more voices and new perspectives. Therefore, we support a reform and expansion of the UN Security Council.
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