Algeria has reaffirmed Africa’s determination to secure a permanent and more representative role in the United Nations Security Council, highlighting two decades of diplomatic efforts to address what it calls a historic injustice.
Speaking at the African Union Committee of Ten (C-10) summit in New York, which coincided with the 20th anniversary of the “Ezulwini Consensus,” Algerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, African Affairs, and the National Community Abroad, Ahmed Attaf, outlined the continent’s progress and ongoing challenges.
“Africa looks to the future with renewed determination and a clearer vision after two decades of diligent efforts to correct a long-standing historical injustice,” Attaf said, emphasising the continent’s growing international support.
According to Attaf, Africa’s achievements can be summarised in three key successes.
First, the continent has expanded the base of support for its common position, earning recognition from UN member states and global interest groups.
“This is a recognition of the legitimacy and validity of African demands as stated in the Ezulwini Consensus,” he said.
Second, Africa has established a global understanding of the unique nature of its cause, representing the collective will of the 55 African Union member states and aiming to redress historical inequities.
The third and “most important” achievement, Attaf noted, is Africa’s demonstrated readiness to contribute meaningfully to the UN’s collective security system. “Through the mechanism of the three African members of the Security Council (A3), Africa has shown that it has no ambitions other than to enable the Council to fully carry out its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security,” he said.
Despite these milestones, Attaf warned that significant challenges remain. The UN Security Council is facing what he described as a “near-total paralysis,” creating growing concerns about global security governance.
He called for a dual approach: maintaining internal African unity and engagement while advancing dialogue externally through Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) and partnerships to broaden support for Africa’s aspirations.
“Our duty compels us to remain faithful to our common position, because it is a sound, just, and fully responsive position to our collective concerns and interests,” Attaf concluded. “This is the only way to ensure our collective voice carries effective weight, strengthening a robust and effective multilateral system based on the principles of the UN Charter.”
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