At the plenary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly held on Tuesday 12th, July 2022 under agenda item 127 on the “Question of Equitable Representation and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council”, the Africa Union members States continued their advocacy on the need for a comprehensive reform of the Security Council, adding that the Group will continue to engage in the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) in building consensus in the spirit of that General Assembly Decision 62/557.

Speaking on behalf of the African Union Member States, H.E. Dr. Michael Imran Kanu, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations (Legal Affairs) stated that Africa is fully committed to advancing the reform of the Security Council to better reflect the current geopolitical realities, and to correct the acknowledged injustice that Africa continues to suffer.

He expressed gratitude to the Co-Chairs’ for the retention in the section of “General Convergences” paragraph 7 in their Revised Elements Paper which states the “wider recognition and broader support by the Member States for the legitimate aspiration of the African countries to play their rightful role on the global stage, adding that an increased presence in the Security Council, as reflected in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration adopted by the African Union in 2005. Redressing the historical injustice against Africa is viewed as a priority”.

Ambassador Kanu concluded by acknowledging the efforts of all Member States for their collective commitment to an inclusive and transparent process leading to a roll-over decision adopted by consensus.

“The C-10 of the African Group has joined consensus, in the spirit of safeguarding the unity and mutual trust among the membership, and also to move forward the reform of the Security Council” he noted.