US Backs Two Permanent UN Security Council Seats for Africa, According to Reuters

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS – The United States has announced its support for establishing two permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council for African nations, along with one rotating seat designated for small island developing states. This initiative was shared by U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

This development aims to strengthen U.S. relations with African countries, which have expressed dissatisfaction over Washington’s backing of Israel during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and to build closer ties with Pacific Island nations that play a crucial role in countering Chinese influence in the area.

"For years, countries have called for a more inclusive and representative council that reflects today’s demographics and better addresses contemporary challenges," Thomas-Greenfield stated during an address at the Council on Foreign Relations.

In addition to advocating for two permanent seats for African nations and a rotating seat for small island developing states, the U.S. continues to support permanent memberships for India, Japan, and Germany in the Security Council. It also endorses permanent representation for countries from Latin America and the Caribbean, though specific details on this support have not been provided.

The demand for permanent seats on the Security Council, the most powerful segment of the United Nations, has been a long-standing issue for developing nations. However, despite years of discussions regarding reform, meaningful progress has not been made, leaving uncertainty about whether U.S. backing will prompt action.

Thomas-Greenfield emphasized that the U.S. does not support expanding veto power beyond the current five permanent members—Russia, China, France, the United States, and Britain. "None of the permanent members want to give up their veto power, including us," she remarked. "We believe expanding veto power across the board would render the council more dysfunctional."

The Security Council holds the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security, possessing the authority to impose sanctions, enforce arms embargoes, and authorize military intervention. Initially established in 1945 with 11 members, the Council was expanded to 15 members in 1965, which includes 10 elected members serving two-year terms.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed support for reforming the Security Council, noting that it reflects the post-World War II landscape and highlighting its legitimacy and effectiveness issues. Changes to the Security Council’s membership require amendments to the U.N. Charter, which must be approved and ratified by two-thirds of the General Assembly, including the five current veto-holding nations.

For more than a decade, the 193-member U.N. General Assembly has deliberated on reforming the Security Council. Recent geopolitical tensions, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have intensified discussions around this topic.

Thomas-Greenfield acknowledged that much of the dialogue surrounding Security Council reform has remained just that—dialogue. She indicated that the U.S. is in favor of negotiations to advance a draft resolution amending the U.N. Charter for these reforms but could not provide a timeline for when such a resolution might be put to a vote.

Every year, the General Assembly elects five new members from various geographical groups for two-year terms on the Security Council. Within the 15-member council, three seats are currently reserved for African nations.

"The problem is that these elected seats don’t allow African countries to fully utilize their unique perspectives and expertise in addressing challenges that affect everyone, particularly those that disproportionately impact Africa," Thomas-Greenfield asserted.

Decisions regarding which African nations would occupy the two permanent seats would ultimately be made by the African states themselves. Additionally, she advocated for a rotating elected seat for small island developing states, highlighting their critical insights on various international peace and security issues, especially concerning the impacts of climate change.