In a call for urgent change, Morocco’s Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations, Omar Hilale, highlighted the critical need for Security Council reforms to ensure better representation for Africa. He argued that the continent’s current position within the UN’s highest decision-making body is unjust and inadequate to address global challenges.
“Africa is not well-represented in the Security Council,” Hilale stated at the Atlantic Dialogues. This underrepresentation, he emphasized, stems from historical injustices and a lack of recognition of the continent’s vast potential and diverse perspectives.
To remedy this imbalance, Hilale proposed a bold reform plan, advocating for two permanent seats and five non-permanent seats for African nations. He stressed that this enhanced representation would bring legitimacy and credibility to the Security Council, allowing it to tackle complex issues with a more nuanced understanding of global dynamics.
“It is time for Africa to be well-represented,” Hilale declared. He further emphasized the importance of selecting credible African countries with strong political stability, economic power, rich history, and established civilizations, including Morocco, to fill these new seats.
Hilale’s remarks come at a time of heightened global turmoil, with multiple crises demanding the Security Council’s attention. He pointed to the ongoing war in Gaza and Palestinian territories as a prime example of the international community’s current paralysis.
“The devastating situation in Gaza highlights the lack of consensus among influential countries within the Security Council, particularly the US, which has used its veto power to block any action towards a ceasefire,” Hilale stated.
Beyond the immediate crisis in Gaza, Hilale also identified separatism, violent extremism in the Global South, and anti-immigrant sentiments as pressing global challenges requiring urgent action. He warned that over 15 separatist groups linked to violent extremism and terrorist networks pose a significant threat, further fueled by cross-border crime, human trafficking, and drug trafficking.
In the face of these daunting challenges, Hilale emphasized the crucial role of a strengthened UN and Security Council. “The international community is paralyzed,” he asserted. “We urgently need to empower the UN and the Security Council to fulfill their roles as guardians of peace and security in the world.”
Hilale’s call for Security Council reform echoes a growing chorus of voices advocating for a more equitable and representative global governance system. Whether his proposals gain traction remains to be seen, but his message is clear: Africa deserves a stronger voice in shaping the world’s future, and the current Security Council structure is no longer fit for purpose.