By Fatima Kpaka
New York, USA – September 21, 2025: Sierra Leone’s President, His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, has reaffirmed Africa’s united demand for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council, describing it as a matter of justice and equity, according to a statement from the State House Media and Communications
Speaking as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority and Coordinator of the African Union Committee of Ten (C-10), President Bio opened the 7th C-10 Summit at UN Headquarters in New York with a powerful call for reform.
The summit coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration—Africa’s Common Position on UN reform—which advocates for at least two permanent seats with veto power and two non-permanent seats for the continent.
“Africa had no voice when the UN was founded in 1945, and today remains the only continent without permanent representation, despite being central to the Council’s agenda,” President Bio stated. “This is not a plea for favour. It is a demand for justice to correct a historic wrong.”
The high-level meeting brought together leaders from the ten C-10 member states: Algeria, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Libya, Namibia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia. Distinguished attendees included Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Chair of the African Union; Kenyan President William Ruto; Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah; and Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
President Bio commended Africa’s unwavering unity over two decades of advocacy, emphasizing that no member state has deviated from the continent’s shared position. “That unity is our strength. No reform can succeed without a united Africa,” he said.
He also highlighted recent milestones such as the Freetown Retreat and Lusaka Ministerial Meeting, which produced the African Union Reform Model—a strategic framework for structured negotiations.
In his closing remarks, President Bio urged permanent members of the Security Council to demonstrate political will and move beyond entrenched positions. “Africa’s demand is legitimate, non-negotiable, and just. Equal representation for Africa is not only an African imperative—it is a global necessity,” he concluded.