UN chief calls for rectification of 'injustices' faced by Africa, its permanent seat on Security Council

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has told African leaders that the "injustices" faced by the continent must be corrected, advocating for a permanent seat for Africa on the UN Security Council.

During the ongoing China-Africa Cooperation Forum in Beijing on Thursday, Guterres called for action to rectify "historic injustices" faced by Africa.

“It is outrageous... that the continent of Africa still has no permanent seat on the Security Council,” he told over 50 African leaders.

The UN chief further noted that numerous African nations are trapped in a cycle of debt, which hinders their ability to invest in sustainable development, adding that many lack access to adequate debt relief, face limited resources, and experience a significant shortfall in funding.

“We are pushing for reforms so that the international financial architecture and institutions correspond to the realities of today’s world and can respond to today’s challenges – particularly those faced by developing countries, namely in Africa,” he added.

Guterres emphasized his recommendations for overhauling the "outdated, ineffective, and unfair" international financial system, while also voicing support for a stimulus initiative aimed at assisting developing countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He said that China’s outstanding development achievements, particularly in poverty reduction, offer a rich source of experience and knowledge and that China-Africa partnership can be a “catalyst for key transitions on food systems and digital connectivity.”

The UN chief described China’s partnership with the African continent as a pillar of South-South cooperation which refers to the exchange of technology and skills between countries of the Global South.

He went on to highlight that Africa, with its vibrant economies, stands to greatly benefit from China's assistance in diverse sectors such as trade, data management, finance, and technology.

China pledges over $50 billion in financing for Africa

Moreover, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has pledged over $50 billion in financing for Africa over the next three years, promising to deepen cooperation in infrastructure and trade with the continent as he addressed the summit.

As the second-largest economy globally, China is Africa's largest trading partner and has sought to tap the continent's vast troves of natural resources including copper, gold, lithium and rare earth minerals.

The African continent, with a population of over 1.3 billion people and rich resources, has been oppressed by Western countries for decades.

Over the last few years, China, Russia and India have expanded their sphere of influence in Africa, which has angered Western colonial powers that view the continent as their backyard.

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