Kenyan President William Ruto called on Wednesday for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and strict observance of international humanitarian law, saying only a “credible” political process could revive prospects for a two-state solution in which Israel and the Palestinians live side by side in security and stability.
Addressing the UN General Assembly, Ruto said the United Nations was facing its “deepest crisis” in credibility and capacity, citing funding shortfalls, bureaucracy and a “frozen” Security Council.
He pressed for long-sought African representation on the Council, reiterating the continent’s demand under the 2005 Ezulwini Consensus for at least two permanent seats with veto power and two additional non-permanent seats. “You cannot claim to be the United Nations while disregarding the voice of 54 nations,” he said, calling Africa’s exclusion “unacceptable, unfair and grossly unjust.”
Ruto argued that Security Council reform is essential to the UN’s relevance, noting that Africa dominates the Council’s agenda, contributes significant peacekeepers and bears heavy costs from instability, yet remains the only region without a permanent seat at the table.
On Gaza, he urged a lasting truce and respect for international law. Israel’s military campaign since Oct. 7, 2023, has devastated the enclave; Gaza health authorities say more than 65,400 people have been killed, most of them women and children, and aid agencies warn of famine.
Ruto also highlighted Kenya’s leadership of the multinational security support mission in Haiti, urging the Security Council and partners to sustain backing for the “path of peace, stability and renewal.” More than 600 Kenyan police officers have deployed, but the mission has struggled to draw wider troop contributions as armed gangs exert control in major urban areas, including much of Port-au-Prince.