AFRICAN GROUP STATEMENT ON SECOND PLENARY MEETING ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATIONS AT THE UNSC

  Delivered by

H.E. Ambassador Dr. Michael Imran Kanu, Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations

20th February 2026

Distinguished Co-Chairs,

Excellencies,

Distinguished delegates,

1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Member States (the “African Group”).

2. I thank you for convening this second plenary meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on the reform of the United Nations Security Council, and we acknowledge your letter dated 12 February 2026, which sets out the guiding questions for our discussions today.

Distinguished Co-Chairs,

3. At the outset, the African Group reaffirms that any genuine reform of the United Nations Security Council must be anchored in fairness, equity, and legitimacy; above all, by redressing, as a priority, the historical injustice against Africa, and by treating Africa as a special case. These principles are firmly reflected in the African Reform Model, which I am pleased to inform was endorsed by the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government at the recently convened 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly.

4. The endorsement of the African Reform Model builds on the momentum generated and commitments made by our Heads of State and Government in the Pact for the Future, including the development of a consolidated model. The AU endorsed African Reform Model is based on the Common African Position on United Nations Security Council Reform as articulated in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, as well as the African Group submission to the 2015 Framework Document.

5. Our position therefore on the IGN cluster on Categories of Membership is well known to this Assembly. However, given the status quo, I must reiterate, as reflected by the UN Secretary- General in Addis Ababa, that it is unacceptable that, at this stage in the UN’s history, Africa remains the only region without representation in the permanent category and is grossly underrepresented in the non-permanent category of the Security Council. It is against this background that the African Group will address the questions guiding our discussions.

6. First, regarding the two principal models and how to build consensus around a single approach, the African Group believes consensus will not be achieved by asking Africa to compromise on justice. Rather, consensus will be built by converging around shared principles: equitable geographic representation, regional balance, and effectiveness, while accepting that legitimacy requires addressing the central deficit of representation affecting Africa.

7. In practical terms, this requires moving beyond abstract binaries and focusing on an approach in which reform delivers an enlarged Council in both categories of membership, permanent and non- permanent, in line with the categories found in Article 23 of the UN Charter, and with Africa receiving no less than two permanent seats and five non-permanent seats. Africa, therefore, firmly opposes ideas not in conformity with the Common African Position.

8. Second, on reconciling the two principal models and the possibility of a compromise or hybrid, Africa remains constructively engaged in the process to achieve broad political acceptance. However, any idea, proposal or “hybrid” that avoids permanent seats altogether for Africa, or substitutes Africa’s permanent membership with longer-term or renewable arrangements, does not resolve the injustice at the heart of this reform debate. Africa’s position is clear: the permanent category should be expanded beyond the current P5, with no less than two permanent seats for Africa, alongside an expanded non permanent category.

9. In our view, this approach affirms the necessity of Africa’s permanent membership for legitimacy, while also enlarging the non-permanent category to strengthen accountability and widen participation.

10. Third, regarding criteria and process for selecting new permanent members or longer-term seats, the African Group reiterates, in its context, the primacy of regional representation and regional ownership. For Africa, the selection of Africa’s representatives, both in the permanent and non-permanent categories, shall be undertaken by the African Union for submission to the United Nations General Assembly for election. This protects unity, prevents fragmentation, and ensures that representation reflects the collective will of the region.

11. Fourth, regarding periodic review or reassessment of new permanent seats, the African Group stresses that reform must not institutionalize inequality through “second-class” permanent membership. In this context, Africa strongly believes the veto should be abolished; but so long as it exists, it must be extended to all permanent members as a matter of common justice. Against that background, discussions on review, and any review mechanism, must not become a vehicle to re-open, dilute, or condition Africa’s rightful representation and positions, including on the question of the veto.

12. That said, Africa will listen to views on a periodic review of the overall implementation of the reform, particularly on working methods and transparency, provided such review strengthens effectiveness and accountability without undermining the categories of membership or the principle of equality among permanent members.

13. Fifth, regarding proposals for rotating seats allocated to cross- regional groupings, including Small Island Developing States, the African Group notes the importance of reform delivering a more accessible, democratic, representative, accountable and effective Council that enhances inclusivity, without fragmenting the principle of regional representation.

14. In conclusion, Distinguished Co-Chairs, allow me to reiterate that the African Group stands ready to engage constructively to build convergence. But convergence must be anchored in legitimacy. As endorsed by the AU Heads of State and Government, that legitimacy requires that Africa, as a special case, be granted no less than two permanent seats, with full prerogatives, including the veto power and five non-permanent seats in an enlarged Council, with selection by the African Union and election by the General Assembly.

15. Any reform that does not correct the continuing historical injustice of Africa’s non-representation in the permanent category will fall short of the transformative change that this process demands. We therefore express sincere gratitude to Member States and interest groups for their ongoing support of the Common African Position. I thank you.