At today's Ministerial Meeting on the Reform of the UN Security Council, held on the margins of the Africa-France Summit in Nairobi, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, reaffirmed Africa's united & principled position on UN Security Council reform.

The Chairperson underscored that "Africa is not asking for a favour; Africa is demanding the correction of a historical injustice," stressing that the continent can no longer remain excluded from permanent representation in the Council despite its demographic, political, & economic weight.

Guided by the Ezulwini Consensus & the Sirte Declaration,he said Africa continues to call for no fewer than two permanent seats with full prerogatives, including the veto while it exists, & five non-permanent seats in an expanded Council.

Chairperson Youssouf welcomed the support of France, Kenya, & Sierra Leone in advancing the African Model, & called for stronger political coordination, strategic alliances, & concrete action to transform growing international consensus into meaningful reform. "The credibility & legitimacy of the Security Council depend on its ability to reflect the realities of today's world, not the geopolitical order of 1945," he stated.

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He further noted that the AU's permanent membership in the G20 has already demonstrated that global governance institutions can evolve to become more representative, inclusive, & responsive to contemporary realities.