UN General Debate opens with call for African Security Council seats

UN General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman opened Tuesday's General Debate in New York by demanding stronger African representation on the UN Security Council, calling the current situation a matter of fairness and credibility. Rahman, a Bangladeshi diplomat who succeeded Annalena Baerbock, said Africa cannot wait indefinitely for its rightful place, stressing the continent needs to be "at the table, not on the menu." Africa currently has no permanent Security Council seats. Three African nations—the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, and Somalia—hold non-permanent seats on the 15-member body. The African Union is seeking at least two permanent and five non-permanent seats as part of broader UN reform efforts.