Shettima pushes for two UNSC permanent seats for Africa with veto at UNGA 81

Vice President Kashim Shettima told the 81st UN General Assembly in New York on September 24 that Africa needs at least two permanent seats on the UN Security Council, each with veto rights for as long as the veto power exists, plus five non-permanent seats in total. He framed the demand in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, urging a return to the UN’s founding principles of dialogue, mutual respect and collective responsibility, where diplomacy beats coercion and international law outweighs arbitrary power.

Shettima called for urgent diplomatic action to end wars in Sudan and other conflict zones, insisting all parties uphold humanitarian and human rights law, protect civilians and allow aid access. On finance, he pressed for reform of the global financial architecture to give developing countries wider access to concessional loans and debt‑sustainability measures that reflect their realities. He also asked the UN to boost peacekeeping by stressing peacebuilding, mediation, institution‑building and sustainable development, and advocated for climate‑finance arrangements based on equity and shared responsibility so that funding is predictable and adequate for nations like Nigeria.

These moves could reshape how Africa influences global peace and security decisions, affect the flow of climate and development funds to Nigeria, and shape the UN’s response to crises that spill over into West Africa. Will the push for African veto power translate into real concessions from the current permanent members, or will it stall amid great‑power politics?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/09/24/seven-things-nigeria-pushed-for-at-unga-81st/