Africa is calling for more representation in the United Nations Security Council, with President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone pressing for African countries to have more council seats, including two permanent spots with veto power.

He emphasized the need for Africa to be heard and for its demands for justice and equity to be met. There have been ongoing discussions about expanding and reshaping the council’s membership, with various proposals on the table. However, President Bio’s presence at the Security Council meeting highlighted the urgency of the issue.

The upcoming U.N. “Summit of the Future” and the annual General Assembly gathering are expected to address Security Council reform as a priority, with the hope of achieving significant progress. President Bio expressed confidence that Africa’s case for increased representation will prevail, especially given the continent’s underrepresentation despite its growing population and significant involvement in U.N. peacekeeping operations.

The African Union has called for additional elected and permanent seats for African countries, highlighting the urgent need to address this issue. While there are different ideas for changing the council’s composition, the need for action and concrete solutions was emphasized by various parties, including the United States.

President Bio urged the Security Council to prioritize giving Africa more influence in any structural changes.