The United States has thrown its support behind Africa’s bid for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), signaling a major shift in the push for reform. Washington has endorsed the creation of two permanent seats for African nations on the UNSC, alongside a rotating seat for small island developing states. U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, is expected to make the formal announcement soon, marking a significant moment in the longstanding debate over UNSC reform.

Despite backing the addition of new permanent seats, the U.S. has made it clear that it does not support expanding veto power beyond the five current permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom.

The UNSC is one of the most powerful bodies within the United Nations, responsible for maintaining international peace and security. Its powers include imposing sanctions, authorizing the use of military force, and enforcing arms embargoes. The council is composed of 15 members—five permanent members with veto power and 10 non-permanent members who are elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. Africa currently holds three rotating non-permanent seats.

The U.S. backing for Africa’s permanent representation on the UNSC comes amid increasing global calls for council reform. The council’s current structure has been criticized as outdated, particularly given the rise of emerging powers and shifting geopolitical landscapes. In addition to supporting Africa’s bid, the U.S. has also long endorsed the inclusion of other countries such as India, Japan, and Germany as permanent members.

Any reform to the UNSC requires amending the UN Charter, which is a complicated process. It demands the approval of two-thirds of the General Assembly as well as the agreement of all five current permanent members—a hurdle that has made reform efforts difficult to achieve.

For decades, developing nations, including those in Africa, have advocated for a greater role on the UNSC, but negotiations have repeatedly stalled. Recently, however, there has been renewed momentum, driven in part by global conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war and the escalating tensions in Gaza, which have underscored the need for a more inclusive and responsive council. Last month, Sierra Leone led a debate at the UN, calling for two permanent African seats on the council. This call has been echoed by other leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who has stressed that Africa’s demands must be taken seriously.

While the U.S. support is seen as a critical step, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield acknowledged that it remains unclear how soon the General Assembly could take action on a resolution to expand the UNSC. Despite growing calls for change, there is still no clear timeline for reform. The key question now is whether the U.S. backing will help accelerate the process and finally secure Africa’s long-sought place as a permanent player on the world stage.