US Gives Condition ON Africa’s Demand For Permanent Seats At The UN Security Council.

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Since the UN Security Council was established almost eight years ago, the
The African continent remains the only region in the world without a permanent representation at the council. However, given the growing demands of African leaders for a permanent seat on the council, the United States recently revealed that it will support giving African leaders two permanent seats on the council. But, before you start getting excited, you should know that the US made it clear that the seats come with a condition and this condition is one that comes with no power. So, the question is “Why did the US finally decide to grant Africa’s demand?” Why now, after almost eighty years? What is this condition and should Africa take it? Let's find out.

So, last week the US announced that it will support two permanent seats for African countries on the powerful UN Security Council. This was made known by the US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, in an address to the Security Council on foreign relations. According to her, the decision is a follow-up to the announcement made by President Joe Biden two years ago about the US support for expanding the 15-member body. Speaking to the Council, she said “While Africa has three non-permanent seats on the Security Council, it doesn't allow African countries “to deliver the full benefit of their knowledge and voices”. “Therefore, that is why in addition to non-permanent membership for African countries, the United States supports creating two permanent seats for Africa on the council. It is what our African partners seek, and it’s what we believe is just.”

From this last statement, one would be inclined to believe that the US is truly sympathetic to the African cause. You see, the UN Security Council is the highest and most powerful body in the United Nations and is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. Now, when it was founded in October 1945, only four African countries were part of this organization. But, today, all 54 countries are member states of the UN. Now, of the 193 member states, only China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America are the only permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. And, being a permanent member of the council means that these countries have veto powers that the rest member countries do not have. This largely means they have the power to stop actions when it comes to international issues such as the war in Ukraine. Already, Africa is represented on the UNSC by the so-called A3 – a block of three elected African states on the UNSC. The problem, however, is that these African countries have no veto power even when the decisions being made by the council are related to Africa.