African countries will soon get permanent seats in the UN Security Council, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told a media briefing while on an official visit to the South African capital, Pretoria.
"The most serious obstacles to Africa's entry into the UN Security Council have been overcome. A consensus was reached for two African countries to become permanent members of the Security Council. I am sure that I will not end my mandate as UN secretary general without seeing African countries as permanent members of the UN Security Council," Guterres told reporters.
Guterres added that the influence of the Global South on the work of the UN is now crucial.
"The countries of the Global South represent the majority of the world community. They have the most decisive influence on the work of the UN," the UN chief stressed.
Africa remains without one single permanent member of the UN Security Council, which is completely unacceptable, Guterres also pointed out.
"2025 must be a year of justice for Africa," the official emphasized.
Africa needs financial, climate, technological and peace-building justice, and the UN will support South Africa's G20 presidency to help deliver justice for the people of the continent, Guterres concluded.