Ruto Slams Post-WWII UN Structure, Demands Permanent African Representation

Kenyan President Dr.William Ruto has called for Africa to be granted permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council, saying it is unfair that the continent has no permanent representation despite having 54 countries and more than 1.4 billion people.

Speaking at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on Wednesday, Ruto told the world leaders that Africa’s exclusion from permanent membership of the Security Council is “unfair and unacceptable.” He demanded reforms that would provide at least two permanent seats with full rights “.

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"For two decades, this demand, however, continues to be ignored, deferred, or endlessly debated to the detriment of both Africa and the legitimacy of the United Nations itself. You can't claim to be UN while continuing to disregard voices of 54 nation,"

He however pointed out that Africa dominates much of the Security Council’s agenda, provides some of the largest peacekeeping contingents yet remains the only continent without a permanent seat at the council.

“Reforming the Security Council is not a favor to Africa or to anybody. It is a necessity for the United Nations’ own survival,” he said.

The Growing Call to Acknowledge African Contributions

Turning to Kenya’s role in Haiti, Mr. Ruto described Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission – which was authorized by the UN Security Council in October 2023 to help improve security and policing as a success in global security governance. President William Ruto renewed his call for comprehensive UN reforms, warning that excluding Africa from permanent Security Council membership undermines the institution's credibility. Speaking on global issues, Ruto also pointed out the success of the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti and noted that despite limited resources, the mission successfully restored gang-overrun government institutions, reopened schools, reduced kidnappings, and restarted airport and seaport operations.

During his address at the UN General Assembly, Kenyan President William Ruto strongly advocated for a complete overhaul of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to reflect contemporary global dynamics rather than the post-World War II landscape of 1945. He argued that the current structure primarily caters to the priorities of the historic Allied victors. Pointing to the 80th anniversary of the UN, Ruto questioned whether the institution remains relevant to modern challenges or if it has transformed into an outdated relic of the past, emphasizing that the milestone should serve as a pivotal turning point for reform.

Ruto passionately criticized the exclusion of Africa from permanent UNSC membership, labeling it as unjust, unacceptable, and a direct threat to the United Nations' credibility. Aligning with long-standing African positions established two decades ago in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, he demanded that the continent receive two permanent seats with full veto rights alongside two additional non-permanent seats. He made it clear that reforming the council is not a charitable favor to Africa, but rather an absolute necessity for the UN’s own institutional survival in the 21st century. The President emphasized that African nations are no longer willing to be sidelined while major decisions regarding their peace, security, and development are made without their input. He highlighted the irony of Africa’s exclusion, noting that the continent not only dominates the Security Council's agenda and bears the heaviest costs of global instability, but also contributes some of the largest troop contingents to UN peacekeeping missions. Ruto also questioned how much more progress could have been achieved in these missions with full UN solidarity, urging the council to protect these hard-won security gains. Beyond institutional reform, Ruto addressed pressing global crises, denouncing the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza while demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli hostages. He also expressed grave concern over the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Turning to environmental action, the President highlighted Kenya’s proactive transition to renewable energy as a key strategy in the global fight against climate change.