Guterres hopeful Africa will get permanent seat on UN Security Council

CAPE TOWN - United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he remains hopeful Africa will get a permanent seat on the Security Council before the end of his second term in December 2026.

Guterres has been in South Africa on Wednesday to discuss how the world body can support South Africa in its G20 Presidency.

Following a meeting with International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola in Pretoria on Wednesday, Guterres said 2025 must be a year of justice for Africa.

Guterres says South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 presents the opportunity for South Africa to advance the African agenda.

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Last week, Guterres appointed a group of experts - including former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel - to devise ways to resolve Africa’s debt crisis.

"It calls for action to move forward with the Sustainable Development Goals, to substantially increase the lending capacity of multi-lateral development banks, to make them bigger, bolder and better to support developing countries."

Guterres also wants to see the G20 under South Africa’s Presidency lead the way in the Just Energy Transition and says Africa also deserves technological justice.

But he notes that conflict and terrorism on the continent have the potential to derail the best-laid plans.

"Africa remains without one single permanent seat on the UN Security Council, which is completely unacceptable."

Guterres will also meet President Cyril Ramaphosa before travelling onwards to Lesotho.