At the 80th United Nations General Assembly, African leaders delivered a powerful and coordinated appeal for a restructuring of the global order, emphasizing the need for fairness, sovereignty, and Africa’s rightful inclusion in international decision-making. Their addresses strongly rejected marginalization, urging reforms that would grant the continent a central role as a genuine partner in shaping global policies.
A recurring theme throughout the speeches was the reform of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, which many leaders argued is outdated and unrepresentative of today’s geopolitical realities.
President Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo described Africa as the “continent of the future,” stressing that a truly effective UN must be “more representative, more transparent, and aligned with the realities of our world.” He further noted, “One can see clearly that the Security Council in its current composition no longer reflects the geopolitical balance of our world. Thus, the urgent need to reform it, not in theory, but in practice.” His remarks reflect a deep frustration shared across Africa over the absence of a permanent African seat on the Security Council despite the continent’s 54 sovereign states.
Beyond structural reforms, African leaders pressed for fairness in global economic relations and stronger partnerships built on respect. Central African Republic President Faustin Archange Touadera underscored Africa’s determination to redefine its role, declaring that the continent requires “bold partnerships” where development fosters stability and peace. He emphasized, “The role of Africa within the global community must be acknowledged. We seek sovereignty instead of subordination, partnership instead of exploitation.”
Touadera also condemned the glaring inequality between Africa and the developed world, remarking, “It is intolerable that poverty is escalating in Africa while wealth accumulates in northern countries. It is time to rectify the injustices inflicted upon Africa.”
The discussions extended beyond governance and equity, touching on urgent issues such as climate change, digital transformation, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence. African leaders highlighted these as pressing concerns requiring global collaboration to ensure that Africa is not left behind in technological and environmental transitions.
Kenyan President William Ruto spotlighted the worsening humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where Kenya has taken the lead in a multinational police intervention. He cautioned against global neglect, stating, “Haiti serves as a tragic reminder of the consequences when the international community turns a blind eye,” urging the UN to act decisively to restore peace and stability in the Caribbean nation.
Although this year’s General Assembly carried the theme “Better Together,” African leaders noted that current global relations remain fractured and imbalanced. Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah summarized these concerns, warning that the world is “fractured by conflict, displacement, and economic instabilities.”
The collective stance from Africa was clear: genuine global partnership cannot exist until historical wrongs are corrected, structural inequalities dismantled, and Africa recognized not as a peripheral player, but as a central and indispensable force in global governance.
