African Union Assembly Endorses President Bio’s Report on UN Security Council Reform

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio presented the 25th Report of the African Union Committee of Ten (C-10) Heads of State, advocating for reform of the United Nations Security Council. The report received strong support and was adopted by the Assembly on Sunday, February 16, 2025.

As the Coordinator of the C-10, President Bio expressed his pride in leading Africa’s efforts to push for meaningful reform within the UN Security Council.

“It is an honor to present this report, which reflects our collective resolve to achieve meaningful reform and to promote the Common African Position (CAP),” he said, emphasizing that the document was a step forward in ensuring that Africa’s voice is heard on the global stage.

He further stated that the CAP, as outlined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, continues to gain support across the world. “The structure of the UN Security Council is outdated and imbalanced, undermining its legitimacy and effectiveness,” Bio said, pointing to Africa’s historical exclusion from permanent membership and its under-representation within the non-permanent category.

“We cannot ignore Africa’s contributions to global peace and security,” he continued. “Our continent deserves greater recognition, not only due to our size and population but also for our financial and human sacrifices to global stability.”

In his address, President Bio made it clear that Africa’s current lack of representation within the Security Council remains a fundamental issue. With over 1.4 billion people, Africa remains the world’s second-largest and second-most populous continent, yet its absence from the Council’s permanent membership remains a glaring injustice. “It is time for the structure of the UN Security Council to reflect the reality of today’s world,” he added.

Bio urged African countries to continue strengthening their diplomatic engagement with key stakeholders, particularly the permanent members of the Security Council. “We must speak with one voice, united in our purpose,” he said. “The C-10 has made tremendous progress in advocating for the Common African Position, and we must keep this momentum going.”

The report, which was adopted unanimously by the Assembly, marked another step in Africa’s pursuit of fairer global representation. President Bio’s leadership was widely praised by fellow heads of state, who recognized the importance of treating Africa as a special case in the reform process. Bio’s unwavering commitment to advancing Africa’s interests in the global arena continues to inspire confidence and hope for future progress.

As the session concluded, the AU Assembly expressed its firm support for the ongoing reform process, reaffirming the Common African Position as the key to addressing Africa’s historical exclusion and ensuring a fairer representation in global decision-making.