01/26/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/26/2026 11:26
At this evening's UN Security Council debate, High-level UNSC Public Debate on 'Reaffirming the International Rule of Law: Paths to Revitalize #Peace, Justice, & #Multilateralism', AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf reaffirmed Africa's unwavering commitment to multilateralism and the international rule of law.
"Africa knows from experience that global challenges:- conflict, climate change, terrorism, pandemics, poverty-cannot be solved by any State acting alone", he noted.
The Chairperson further emphasised that International law must be applied with historical awareness, including the legacies of colonialism & persistent structural inequalities.
H.E. Mr. Youssouf underscored that Africa's commitment to peace is concrete: from troop contributions and sacrifices on the ground to increased use of legal mechanisms over force, & a strengthened UN-AU partnership under Resolution 2719.
The Chairperson observed in spite of all these, a fundamental injustice remains. "Eighty years after the UN's creation, Africa, with it's 1.4 billion people, 55 States, still has no permanent seat on the UN Security Council. "This is not just unfair to Africa; it weakens the Council's credibility", he said.
He concluded by emphasising that "Africa's united demand is clear: permanent representation with full prerogatives, for equity, effectiveness, & historical correction."