African countries want to hold sway at UNGA DW 09/23/2025

"Many African leaders attending the UN General Assembly (UNGA) have a clear agenda: securing a stronger voice in global governance, advancing peace and security, and mobilizing resources for sustainable development. Under the theme "Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights," the African leaders are expected to push for a more equitable world order one that reflects the continent's growing geopolitical relevance and addresses its historical marginalization. But these aspirations are tempered by a complex mix of urgent challenges and long-standing demands for reform."

"This year's UNGA comes at a time when world leaders are grappling with crises from Gaza to Ukraine and question whether the United States, with its "America First" foreign policy, is still prepared to play a leadership role in global affairs. But conflicts in the Sahel region and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have captured large swathes of territory, including Goma and Bukavu towns, are unlikely to get much attention."

"Calls for reform at the UN are not new. Still, African leaders are renewing their demand for permanent representation on the UN Security Council, arguing that the current structure is outdated and unjust. While Africa makes significant contributions to UN peacekeeping missions and global development, it remains underrepresented in key decision-making processes. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa warned in his weekly newsletteron Monday that the outdated structure of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the persistent use of veto powers by permanent members are eroding the UN's legitimacy and obstructing global peace efforts. "These five permanent members effectively make decisions on behalf of more than 85% of the world's population living in"

African leaders at the UN General Assembly aim to secure a stronger voice in global governance, advance peace and security, and mobilize resources for sustainable development. The theme "Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights" frames a push for a more equitable world order reflecting the continent's growing geopolitical relevance and addressing historical marginalization. Those aspirations face urgent challenges, including crises in Gaza and Ukraine and regional conflicts in the Sahel and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized territory. African delegations are renewing demands for permanent UN Security Council representation and decry underrepresentation in decision-making.

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