Currently, there are only five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC): China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These countries, by virtue of the UN Charter, are empowered to exercise veto power over substantive resolutions and play a decisive role in maintaining international peace and security. This means that in cases of conflict between two or more nations, these powerful states have the authority to determine the appropriate measures to restore peace, including the use of military intervention when deemed necessary.

A major concern, however, is the lack of inclusivity among the permanent members of the UNSC. Despite the Council’s role in global peace and security, its structure has remained largely unchanged since its establishment in 1945. The world has evolved, and new geopolitical and economic powers have emerged, yet the representation within the UNSC has remained static, favoring a Eurocentric and Western-dominated perspective. Africa, despite being the second-largest continent both in terms of population and landmass, has no permanent representation in the Security Council. This raises critical questions about fairness, legitimacy, and the effectiveness of the Council in addressing global security concerns.

Many current Security Council decisions reflect the interests of former colonial powers rather than the needs of African nations. With permanent African seats, neo-colonial influence in UNSC decision-making would be counterbalanced, allowing African nations to protect their own sovereignty. The exclusion of Africa from permanent membership in the Security Council is a major flaw in global governance. Decisions affecting African peace, security, and development are often made without African input, leading to policies that lack local context, fairness, and effectiveness.

To address these imbalances and biases, there is a strong case for expanding the Security Council to include permanent African representation. Africa is home to over 1.4 billion people and contributes significantly to global trade, energy, and mineral resources, yet it remains excluded from key decision-making processes. The African Union (AU) has shown increasing diplomatic influence, and major African nations like Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt have demonstrated strong leadership in regional peacekeeping efforts. If Africa had permanent representation, African perspectives would be integrated into peacekeeping, conflict resolution, and economic sanctions. African leaders could provide context-driven solutions to conflicts on the continent rather than having outsiders dictate policies without a deep understanding of local realities.

To make the UNSC more inclusive, the following reforms should be considered: increasing the number of permanent seats to include at least two African countries with veto power and promoting collective decision-making. The world is no longer the same as it was in 1945, and governance structures must evolve to reflect the realities of the 21st century. The UNSC must prioritize equity and fairness in its decision-making processes. The time has come to restructure the Security Council to ensure that Africa, a continent deeply affected by global security policies, is not just an observer but an active and permanent decision-maker in shaping international peace and security.