US Backs 2 Permanent Seats for Africa on UN Security Council

The United States plans to support the creation of two permanent seats for African countries on the United Nations Security Council, alongside a rotating seat for small island developing states.

US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, is expected to announce a move to reform the council’s structure soon.

Thomas-Greenfield expressed hope that this step will push the agenda forward and bring about reforms in the future, which she views as a key part of President Joe Biden's legacy.

The US has also long supported permanent seats for India, Japan, and Germany on the Security Council.

Developing countries have been advocating for permanent representation on the Security Council for years without success, despite ongoing discussions on reform. It remains uncertain whether US backing will finally give momentum to these efforts.

Before announcing the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, Thomas-Greenfield clarified that the US does not support extending veto power beyond the five permanent members that currently possess it.

This move reflects the US administration’s broader commitment to more inclusive global governance, potentially reshaping the dynamics of the Security Council and addressing long-standing demands from the developing world.