US Backs Permanent Seats for African Nations on UN Security Council Amid Calls for Reform

The United States announced its support for adding two permanent seats for African countries on the U.N. Security Council and a non-permanent seat for a small island developing nation. This move, announced by U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, is part of ongoing efforts to make the Council more representative and include more voices.

The United States declared on Thursday its endorsement for two additional permanent seats for African nations on the influential U.N. Security Council, alongside a novel non-permanent seat for a small island developing nation.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, made this announcement during a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations, describing it as a continuation of President Joe Biden's two-year-old pledge to expand the 15-member body. 'African countries' non-permanent seats do not fully leverage their expertise and voices,' she noted.

'Thus, the United States is advocating for two permanent African seats on the Council,' Thomas-Greenfield stated. A senior U.S. official, anonymously briefing reporters, asserted that Washington opposes extending veto powers to any new members, fearing it would exacerbate deadlocks on the council.

(With inputs from agencies.)