This briefing report argues that structural inequality in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) – marked by Africa’s exclusion from permanent representation – undermines global peace and security. Case studies from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Western Sahara demonstrate how this failure manifests, with devastating human costs.

The report articulates Africa’s unified Common Position on UNSC reform, as well as the African Union Member States’ Model on the UNSC Reform, rooted in the Ezulwini Consensus and championed by the African Union (AU) Committee of Ten and reinforced by the Pact for the Future adopted by the Heads of State and Government of the United Nations. This position calls for no less than two permanent seats for Africa, with full veto rights for as long as the veto exists and five non-permanent seats, alongside comprehensive reforms to make the Security Council more accessible, democratic, transparent and accountable.

Aligning with Oxfam’s findings in its Vetoing Humanity report, the document synthesizes a shared agenda for change based on Africa’s call for greater and permanent representation as well as Africa’s push to see the abolition of the veto. The paper concludes with a six-point call to action, urging the international community to secure Africa’s permanent voice, abolish the veto, redirect resources toward peacebuilding, formalise AU–UN co-decision mechanisms, centre women and local actors, and uphold international humanitarian law.