In a significant call to the United Nations, Kenyan President William Ruto urged for a transformative change in the Security Council's membership structure, advocating for Africa to be granted at least two permanent seats with veto power, along with two additional non-permanent seats. This proposal was presented during his address to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.

President Ruto emphasized that restructuring the Security Council is crucial not only for Africa but for the vitality and relevance of the United Nations itself. "Reforming the Security Council is not a favour to Africa or to anybody. It is a necessity for the United Nations’ own survival," he stated. His remarks underline the ongoing issue where Africa, despite comprising 54 of the 193 UN member states and representing about 17% of the global population, lacks permanent representation in the council.

Historically, the Security Council, established in 1945, has often dealt with issues pertinent to Africa. Notable engagements include its involvement during Namibia’s fight for independence, the apartheid era in South Africa, and more recently, the Angolan Civil War. However, many of these interventions were orchestrated under a governance structure that did not include African states as permanent members, a setup that dates back to a time when most of the continent was under colonial rule.

Additionally, President Ruto highlighted the current challenges in global security governance through Kenya's contributions to the UN Security Council-authorized Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti, which is battling severe gang violence. He criticized the mission's underfunding and underutilization, operating at less than 40% of its intended personnel strength. The Kenyan leader argued that a more inclusive and adequately supported UN could achieve greater global security impacts.

This push for reform by President Ruto reflects a growing sentiment among African nations for more equitable representation in global decision-making forums, especially in matters directly affecting the continent. The proposal for permanent seats is seen not only as a step towards rectifying historical oversights but also as a necessary evolution of the Security Council to better reflect the modern geopolitical landscape.