UN chief tells Al Jazeera that Security Council needs permanent Africa seat

In February 2026, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told Al Jazeera that Africa should have a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Guterres made the statement to Al Jazeera's Haru Mutasa while leaders were gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the African Union summit. The summit focused on discussing regional challenges facing the continent. Guterres's statement highlights the ongoing debate about reforming the Security Council to better reflect the current global landscape. The call for African representation aims to address historical imbalances and ensure the continent's voice is heard on critical international security matters.