By George S. Tengbeh
In the halls of the United Nations, where the fate of nations is debated, there lies a deep contradiction. The United Nations Charter, in its noble Preamble, declares:
“We the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war… to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small…”
Yet, decades after this founding vision was penned, the structure of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) starkly contradicts this ideal. Five countries, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China, wield disproportionate power with permanent seats and veto rights. This imbalance lies at the heart of systemic global inequality and injustice.
The Voices That Warned Us
History bears witness to the courage and tragedy of those who dared to challenge this order. Libya’s former President Muammar Gaddafi’s 2009 speech at the 64th UN General Assembly was an unflinching indictment of the Security Council’s failure:
“The Preamble states in writing that all nations are equal whether they are small or large. Do we have the right of veto? Are we equal? The Preamble says that we have equal rights, whether we are large or small.”
Gaddafi reminded the assembly that the UNSC was formed by a small group of victors after World War II, excluding most of the world’s nations. He called the veto a “terrorism in and of itself” and argued for the dissolution of this “security feudalism.”
Similarly, Liberia’s former President William R. Tolbert in 1979 implored the international community:
“Africa deserves a permanent seat at the Security Council. Our continent has been colonized, its people enslaved and treated like animals, its rights usurped and wealth pillaged.”
Tolbert’s speech was a clarion call for justice and African self-determination. His demand for representation and respect was met with silence, and he was assassinated shortly thereafter.
Ghana’s Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, a visionary for African unity, warned decades earlier that:
“Freedom is not something that one people can bestow on another as a gift. They claim it as their own and none can keep it from them.”
Nkrumah’s Pan-African dream and calls for African sovereignty made him a target of coups and foreign interference.
These leaders understood that the UNSC’s power dynamics were a tool to maintain global dominance and suppress emerging nations, particularly Africa.
The Historical Roots of the Security Council
The UNSC was created in 1945 as the world’s guardians of peace, formed by the victors of World War II. Its permanent members were given veto rights, an extraordinary power allowing any one of them to block any substantive resolution, no matter the global consensus.
At the time, the global political landscape was very different: Europe dominated world affairs, and many nations, especially in Africa and Asia, were still colonies. The post-war arrangement did not include the vast majority of the world’s population and nations in decision-making at the highest level.
As Gaddafi pointed out, the UN Charter’s Preamble and Articles are contradictory. The noble ideals of equality are subverted by the reality of permanent seats and veto power, cementing the privilege of a few nations over the many.
Since the Council’s creation, there have been over 65 wars involving millions of victims. The UNSC’s failures to prevent these conflicts or hold powerful nations accountable highlight its inability to maintain global peace and security impartially.
Global Voices Demanding Change
The call for reform of the UNSC has been growing louder, supported by voices across Africa and the world. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan articulated a widely shared frustration:
“The exclusion of Africa from the permanent member category of the Security Council can no longer be justified.”
African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat has emphasized that:
“Africa deserves to have full membership… The time has come to come up with a new results-based approach.”
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio bluntly warned:
“Africa’s patience is being tested.”
And Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera put forward a firm demand:
“We demand two permanent seats with veto power. The time to fix this is now.”
Even outside Africa, leaders recognize the urgency. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called Security Council reform:
“Vital to global peace and stability.”
The world’s democracies echo this sentiment. The French UN Representative has acknowledged:
“Africa’s demand for veto power is legitimate.”
Denmark’s envoy has said:
“The world needs a more representative Council… It cannot tackle wholesale issues while the Council lives in a world of yesterday.”
Former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb offered a pragmatic expansion plan:
“Two seats for Asia, two for Africa, and one for Latin America.”
Why Reform Matters
The implications of maintaining the status quo go beyond symbolic representation. The current UNSC structure allows permanent members to act with impunity, select which conflicts to address, and which to ignore. The veto has been used repeatedly to shield allies and interests, undermining the UN’s credibility and effectiveness.
For instance, during the Rwandan genocide in 1994, the Security Council failed to intervene decisively, leading to the deaths of nearly a million people. The Council also sanctioned the NATO-led intervention in Libya in 2011 but ignored other crises where permanent members had vested interests.
This selective justice fuels resentment and disillusionment, particularly in Africa, where people see their concerns ignored while resources are exploited.
The Road to a United States of Africa
But change is possible. The African Union has established its own Peace and Security Council, a sign of growing regional self-determination. Other regions have followed suit with their own security bodies.
The vision that Kwame Nkrumah espoused, a united Africa speaking with one voice, is gaining new momentum. A continent that controls its own destiny, resources, and representation will no longer accept second-class status at the global table.
Gaddafi proposed an innovative model where the Security Council would be composed of unions of countries, with the African Union, European Union, and others holding permanent seats, ensuring fairness and democracy.
This is not a fantasy. It is a necessary step toward global peace and equality. It recognizes that security and stability depend on inclusion, respect, and the rule of law for all nations.
Facing the Future With Hope
Today’s African youth are embracing this legacy, learning from the speeches and sacrifices of their heroes. They reject the narratives imposed by external powers and are determined to claim their rightful place.
As William Ruto, Kenya’s President, reminded the world:
“The Council cannot preside over a new world with the tools of an old one.”
It is time for the UNSC to evolve or become irrelevant. Africa will rise. The United States of Africa will be realized. The green pastures we seek are at home, nourished by unity, justice, and equality.
