In a speech at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone called for reforms to the UN Security Council. He advocated for Africa to have two permanent seats with veto power and two additional non-permanent seats on the council.
As Coordinator of the African Union’s Committee of Ten (C-10) on Security Council Reform, President Bio emphasized that the current structure is outdated and unjust toward Africa. "The Security Council has been stuck in time. Its imbalanced composition is unjust and at odds with current realities, undermining its legitimacy and effectiveness," he stated. He argued that Africa's exclusion from permanent representation weakens the council's ability to address global crises equitably.
President Bio urged collective action to rectify this disparity, stressing that African voices must be fully represented in global decision-making processes. He reiterated the African Union’s demand for reform and called on the international community to support a more inclusive Security Council.
In addition to advocating for reform, President Bio called for ceasefires in ongoing global conflicts. He highlighted crises in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine and promoted support for African-led peace initiatives in regions like the Sahel. "The world is at a critical juncture, and we must act with unity and resolve to end conflicts that continue to claim innocent lives," he declared.
President Bio's speech underscores Sierra Leone’s leadership on the global stage as it serves its second tenure as an elected member of the UN Security Council. His call for reform aims to reinforce Africa’s role in global governance while advocating for peace through multilateral cooperation.
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