Speaking to a global audience of policymakers, business leaders, and diplomats Thursday, Akol challenged the current structure of the UNSC, pointing out that Africa, with a population surpassing Europe’s, remains sidelined in global decision-making, implying that decisions on economic sanctions and arm embargoes on member states from the continent are made without their involvement.
“Africa’s population is bigger than Europe’s, yet we have no permanent seat,” Akol said in a statement posted by the Ministry of ICT and Postal Services, directing his remarks to Russian officials present at the forum. “Why can’t Africa be given a permanent seat on the UN Security Council? We deserve the right to have the power of veto so it is not used against us all the time.”
Akol’s remarks come at a time when calls for UNSC reform are gaining traction across Africa and the Global South. The continent, home to 1.4 billion people and 54 nations, has long argued that the current structure of the UNSC—established in 1945 with five permanent members, the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France —is outdated and unrepresentative. Three of these permanent members are European, a point Akol emphasised to underscore the imbalance.
The minister’s appeal resonated with broader African frustrations over the UNSC’s veto power, which has often been wielded to block resolutions addressing conflicts or crises on the continent. For instance, vetoes by permanent members have stalled action on issues ranging from the Sudanese civil war to peacekeeping missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, leaving African nations feeling marginalised in matters directly affecting their security and sovereignty.
Akol also tied Africa’s lack of representation to issues of sovereignty and equitable partnerships. “When doing business with Africa, the question of sovereignty must be taken seriously,” he urged the forum. He argued that Africa’s often unfavourable terms in international agreements stem from a history of subordination in global institutions like the UN. “We cannot continue to be dictated to by structures that do not reflect our realities,” he added.
The minister further highlighted the need for education and capacity-building to enable African nations to better harness technologies offered by partners like Russia. “Africa needs education to understand and implement these technologies effectively,” Akol said, signalling a desire for partnerships that prioritise knowledge transfer over dependency.
Akol’s remarks align with ongoing continental efforts to push for UNSC reform. The African Union (AU) has long advocated for two permanent seats for Africa with veto power, as outlined in the 2005 Ezulwini Consensus.
However, progress has been slow, with resistance from some permanent members and competing regional interests within Africa itself. Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya have all expressed ambitions to represent the continent, complicating the selection process.
Russia, a key player in Africa’s geopolitical landscape, has expressed support for UNSC reform in principle but stopped short of endorsing specific proposals. Moscow’s growing engagement with Africa, through initiatives like SPIEF and the Russia-Africa Summit, has focused on energy, infrastructure, and defence cooperation.
