The African Union Committee of Ten Renews Push for Urgent UN Security Council Reform
The 13th Ministerial Meeting of the African Union Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government (C10) on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council opened today in Lusaka, Zambia, with African leaders making a united and urgent call for equitable reforms to the global body’s most powerful decision-making organ.
Representing Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, Minister of Defence Hon. Ambrose Lufuma delivered an opening address reiterating Zambia’s unwavering support for the Common African Position.
President Hichilema emphasized the pressing need to correct what he described as a “major historical injustice”—the absence of Africa from permanent representation on the Security Council despite the continent being the subject of over 60 percent of the Council’s agenda.
The meeting praised the leadership of Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, the current C10 Coordinator, for championing the continent’s reform agenda. African leaders urged continued unity and proactive engagement with global powers, especially the five permanent members (P5), to build momentum around the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration—cornerstones of Africa’s reform demands.
Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, stressed that the African Union’s 2025 theme—Justice for Africa—reinforces the urgency of this campaign. He encouraged fellow ministers to propose actionable strategies to move the reform efforts forward.
Echoing these sentiments, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, emphasized African ownership of the reform process and reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to justice and equity at the global governance level.
Sierra Leone’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Timothy Musa Kabba, noted that the Pact for the Future adopted at the 2024 UN General Assembly provides vital political momentum for Africa’s representation, calling on all UN Member States to address this enduring imbalance.
Mr. Ivor Richard Fung, speaking on behalf of the 79th UNGA President H.E. Philemon Yang, assured C10 members of continued UN support, highlighting that fair and enhanced representation is pivotal to building a more inclusive and effective United Nations.
As the meeting continues, the C10 is expected to chart a concrete roadmap to push Africa’s call for reform from aspiration to action.
