Kenya and the African Union’s Committee of Ten (C‑10) met UN General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman at the UN headquarters in New York to press for long‑delayed reforms of the Security Council, including permanent African seats and veto authority.

The C‑10 highlighted the AU’s Common African Position, referencing the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, as the basis for its demand for two permanent seats with veto rights and two additional non‑permanent seats for the continent.

In a statement, the AU mission in New York called for an inclusive Intergovernmental Negotiations process to make the Council more representative and effective.

Africa, home to 54 UN members – over a quarter of the organisation – contributes heavily to peacekeeping, yet currently holds no permanent seat on the 15‑member Council, which includes five permanent members with veto power.

Kenyan President William Ruto reiterated the demand for at least two permanent African seats with veto power and five non‑permanent seats, echoing calls made earlier at the UN General Assembly.

Outgoing UN Secretary‑General António Guterres, in his final General Assembly address, urged a more representative Council, describing the absence of permanent African representation as “unjust and indefensible.”

Reform would require a UN Charter amendment approved by a two‑thirds majority of the General Assembly and ratified by two‑thirds of member states, including all five permanent members, giving each the power to block changes that diminish their veto.