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Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio has today departed Freetown to attend the 5th African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State (C-10) Summit in Oyala, Equatorial Guinea.
The summit, scheduled for November 23-24, will focus on reviewing the emerging international momentum on the reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and strategically positioning Africa for any outcome in the process.
As Coordinator for the Common African Position on the reform of the UNSC and Chair of the summit, President Bio will play a pivotal role in the discussions. The C-10 Heads of State and Government will explore how to effectively utilize the Common African Position as a negotiating framework to achieve a realistic and pragmatic roadmap for UNSC reform that aligns with the continent’s best interests.
The African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government (C-10) was established in 2005 to advocate for the Common African Position on UNSC reform, as outlined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. The committee’s efforts are crucial in ensuring that Africa’s voice is heard and its interests are considered in the ongoing UNSC reform process.
The United Nations General Assembly initiated the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on UNSC reforms during its 63rd Session (UNGA 63) in 2009. The current UNSC structure comprises five permanent members – the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, and Russia – and 10 non-permanent members, held on a rotational basis. Africa is currently represented by Mozambique, Gabon, and Ghana.
Sierra Leone, alongside nine other African nations, has been actively advocating for UNSC reforms, calling for a more inclusive body that reflects regional balance and equal representation in decision-making. The C-10 Summit provides a platform for these nations to collectively advance their agenda and secure a more equitable representation for Africa on the global stage.
