President William Ruto says that Africa deserves at least two permanent seats at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Speaking in South Africa while addressing the third African Parliamentarians Summit on Climate Policy and Equity on Wednesday, Ruto said it was time for reforms at the UNSC.
The president insisted that while the UN is an important forum for transacting global affairs in diplomacy, peace, security, and trade, among others, Africa has remained greatly disadvantaged.
He said this is because the current setting of the UN was structured over 80 years ago.
"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.
"It is, therefore, time to reform the UN Security Council and change it from an exclusive club of 5 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.
President Ruto called on the leaders elected to the Pan-African parliament to work together and make the continent prosperous in serving its people.
This will also help improve Africa's relationship with global businesses and investments.
During his address, Ruto also called for reforms in the African Union leadership and funding structures.
He called on African leaders to donate some authority to the union and allow it to speak for the continent on certain key issues.
"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," he said.
"African solutions must look like solutions and, in principle, they ought to emanate from the Member States."
