G4 Nations Back Africa's Bid for UN Security Council Seats
Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan support expanded UN Security Council seats for Africa.
Key points
- G4 nations support permanent UN Security Council seats for Africa.
- Critics say the current 15-member council structure is outdated.
- The group wants to start text-based negotiations immediately.
Four nations backed Africa’s bid for UN Security Council seats on Tuesday. They met in New York during the 81st General Assembly session. The group includes Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan.
Their joint statement arrived on Wednesday. It supports permanent membership for African states. This follows years of stalled reform talks at the United Nations.
Support for permanent African seats
The G4 ministers welcomed the African Group’s reform model. They supported enhanced representation in the permanent category. This includes full voting rights for new members.
They argued the current structure no longer fits reality. It was created eight decades ago. Today, it hinders the council’s effectiveness and legitimacy.
Criticism of stalled reform negotiations
According to Punch Newspapers, the ministers expressed strong concern. They noted eighteen years of discussions without results. A recent bridging proposal failed to gain majority support.
The G4 rejected consensus as the decision benchmark. They cited the UN Charter and negotiation mandates. They want to start text-based talks immediately.
Africa’s long-standing demand for seats
Africa currently holds three non-permanent seats. It has no permanent seat. The African Union seeks at least two permanent spots. It also wants five non-permanent positions.
AU Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf reiterated this demand in May 2026. The G4 will now work with other groups. They aim to build a model reflecting the majority view.
