Sierra Leone’s President Dr. Julius Maada Bio delivered a compelling keynote address at the renowned Oxford Union, renewing Africa’s long-standing demand for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and calling on the global community to support a more just and inclusive international system.
The address, titled “The Common African Position on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council,” centered on the need to correct what President Bio described as a persistent injustice — Africa’s exclusion from permanent membership in one of the world’s most powerful decision-making bodies.
“The Security Council remains locked in a structure that reflects the post-World War II world, not the realities of today,” President Bio said, calling for bold structural reform. “Africa is not pleading for favors. Africa is demanding equity.”
Drawing on his experiences as a war veteran turned statesman, President Bio emphasized the gravity of the issue not just from a political standpoint, but from a moral one. “I have lived through war. I now work for peace. I speak for Sierra Leone’s 7.5 million citizens, but also for the 1.3 billion Africans whose voices have for too long been left out of global security decisions,” he declared.
Speaking as the current Coordinator of the African Union’s Committee of Ten Heads of State (C-10), the body tasked with advancing Africa’s position on UNSC reform, President Bio reaffirmed the continent’s commitment to the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration. These frameworks outline Africa’s demand for two permanent seats with veto powers, five non-permanent seats, and the authority for the African Union to select its own representatives.
“The call for reform is not merely procedural—it’s a matter of legitimacy,” he stated. “A Security Council that excludes an entire continent cannot claim to represent the world.”
President Bio acknowledged that momentum for change is building, referencing the 2024 United Nations General Assembly’s “Pact for the Future”, which recognized both the ethical and practical necessity of addressing Africa’s exclusion. He framed the upcoming 80th anniversary of the United Nations as a critical opportunity to deliver meaningful change.
“This is not the time for ceremonial speeches or commemorations,” he urged. “It’s the moment to correct a long-standing imbalance and ensure Africa takes its rightful place at the table.”
In his address to the audience of students and young global thinkers at the Oxford Union—a venue known for hosting historic debates—President Bio issued a passionate appeal for action.
“Reforming the Security Council is not about diminishing anyone’s influence; it’s about strengthening the whole system,” he said. “A more inclusive Council would reflect the current geopolitical landscape and carry greater legitimacy in tackling global crises.”
The timing of the speech coincided with the 20th anniversary of the African Union’s adoption of its formal position on UNSC reform, a milestone that underscores the enduring nature of the continent’s quest for equal representation in international governance.
President Bio’s remarks served not only as a reaffirmation of Africa’s united stance but also as a challenge to the international community to act decisively.
“The world cannot afford to delay any longer,” he concluded. “The credibility of the United Nations—and the future of global peace and security—depends on it.”