The United States has expressed support for creating two permanent seats for African nations on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), as part of ongoing efforts to reform the powerful global body. U.S.
This is according to a Reuters, who first reported the story as an exclusive. Ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, is expected to announce this during a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, highlighting US government commitment to improving relations with Africa.
The U.S. will also advocate for a rotating seat for small island developing states on the UNSC.
The U.S. proposal is in response to long-standing demands by developing countries, including African nations, for permanent representation on the UNSC, which currently consists of five permanent members— the U.S., Russia, China, France, and the U.K.— all of whom have veto power.
However, Thomas-Greenfield clarified that Washington does not support expanding veto privileges to new members, according to Reuters.
This move aligns with the Biden administration’s broader objective of restoring diplomatic ties with Africa as well as part of Washington’s strategic aim to counter China’s growing influence in the Pacific Islands region.
For Nigeria, the U.S. proposal represents a potential game-changer. As Africa’s largest country in terms of population and one of the most prominent political actors on the continent, Nigeria stands a strong chance of securing one of the proposed permanent seats.
Securing a permanent seat on the UNSC would significantly elevate Nigeria’s status in global governance. It would offer the country a direct role in shaping decisions on critical issues such as international peacekeeping, conflict resolution, and climate change mitigation.
Reforming the UNSC is a complex and time-consuming process, requiring amendments to the U.N. Charter. Any such change must be approved by two-thirds of the 193-member U.N. General Assembly and ratified by the current five veto-wielding powers.
Nigeria, alongside other influential African states, may have to actively lobby and form alliances within the U.N. General Assembly to see this reform realized.