African Leaders Demand Permanent UN Security Council Seats

African leaders at the UN General Assembly are demanding permanent Security Council seats for African nations, arguing the continent lacks representation in decisions on global conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict. The 15-member Council has five permanent veto-wielding members, while Africa holds only three rotating nonpermanent seats. Leaders like Kenya's President Ruto and Ethiopia's President Selassie called the exclusion unjust for 1.6 billion Africans, citing doubts about the UN's credibility and commitment to equality. The urgency extends to AI governance, with leaders like Botswana's President Boko insisting developing nations have a voice in setting technology standards. Most adhere to the African Union's 2005 position demanding at least two permanent seats, though the US pledged support for two seats under the Biden administration.