President William Ruto on Wednesday, May 17 said Africa deserves at least two permanent seats at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Speaking in South Africa where he addressed the Third African Parliamentarians Summit on Climate Policy and Equity, the President said Africa has remained disadvantaged at the council where the most important global matters are discussed.

“It is, therefore, time to reform the UN Security Council and change it from an exclusive club of five permanent members to a more representative global council that works for the interests of the whole world.

“Africa demands and deserves two permanent seats at the Security Council,” Ruto said.

He added: “The world has since changed tremendously. Countries that had not become self-determining have since attained independence and are making a huge contribution to their peoples, continents, and the world.”

Ruto on independence of AU

The President also questioned the independence of the African Union (AU) on decision matters since it is funded by development partners.

“The budget of AU is funded by development partners, what does it say about our ability to make decisions? It is said that he who pays the piper calls the tune.

“African solutions must look like solutions and, in principle, they ought to emanate from the member states,” he said.

The President was addressing the summit in his capacity as the Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State.