UN Addresses Ruto’s Demand for African Voice at Security Council

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres has backed calls by President William Ruto for reforms at the United Nations, including greater African representation at the UN Security Council.

Speaking during a media interview on Tuesday, May 12, during his visit to Kenya for the Africa Forward Summit 2026, Guterres said the current structure of the Security Council no longer reflects the realities of the modern world.

The UN chief said Africa’s absence among the permanent members of the Security Council was a historical injustice caused by colonialism.

UN Backs Ruto’s Push for African Representation at Security Council

Responding to a question on whether meaningful reforms to global governance institutions are still possible, Guterres said change was both necessary and unavoidable.

“Security Council, you have three European countries as permanent members, that is France, UK and Russia. You have no African country, no Latin American country, one Asian country,” he said.

“It is obvious this doesn’t correspond anymore to the world of today. So to have two African permanent members in the Security Council is essential to correct an historic injustice.”

President Ruto has repeatedly called for reforms in global governance systems, arguing that African countries remain sidelined in key international decision-making bodies despite the continent’s growing population and economic importance.

Also Read: Macron and Ruto Unveil Africa Forward 2026 Summit Declaration

Criticism of Global Financial Institutions

Guterres also criticised the structure of international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), saying developing countries remain underrepresented.

According to the UN Secretary-General, the current international financial system mainly serves the interests of wealthy nations.

He cited the distribution of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) during the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of inequality within the global financial system.

“The whole African continent has 5% of the quota. So the whole African continent received only 5%,” he said.

“We had several countries in the Global North that received three to four times that amount. This is totally intolerable. It’s morally unacceptable, and it needs to be corrected.”

Also Read: UN Chief António Guterres to Visit Kenya Ahead of Africa Forward Summit

Guterres acknowledged that reforms would not happen immediately but insisted the international system must evolve to reflect today’s economic realities rather than the post-World War II order established in 1945.

He noted that emerging economies, including China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Brazil, continue to gain influence in the global economy while developed nations account for a shrinking share of global wealth.

“The reality is changing,” he said. “And so we need that power relations in the governance bodies also change to take into account the new economy.”

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President William Ruto presiding over Labor Day Celebrations in Vihiga County on May 1st, 2026. PHOTO/PCS