Rwanda calls for UN Security Council reform and African representation

Olivier Nduhungirehe on Tuesday renewed Rwanda’s call for reform of the United Nations Security Council, warning that the use, or threat, of veto powers has repeatedly paralyzed the body’s ability to respond to humanitarian crises. Speaking on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit 2026 in Nairobi during a ministerial-level strategic dialogue on Security Council reform and the use of veto powers, Nduhungirehe said veto authority had at times been used to pressure member states and block serious consideration of humanitarian interventions. He said the use or threat of veto had effectively

Olivier Nduhungirehe on Tuesday renewed Rwanda’s call for reform of the United Nations Security Council, warning that the use, or threat, of veto powers has repeatedly paralyzed the body’s ability to respond to humanitarian crises. Speaking on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit 2026 in Nairobi during a ministerial-level strategic dialogue on Security Council reform and the use of veto powers, Nduhungirehe said veto authority had at times been used to pressure member states and block serious consideration of humanitarian interventions. He said the use or threat of veto had effectively paralyzed the Council’s core responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. Nduhungirehe reiterated Rwanda’s support for the Common African Position, anchored in the Ezulwini Consensus, which advocates for fair and equitable African representation on the 15-member Security Council, where Africa currently holds no permanent seat. He also stressed that structural reform of the Council should go hand in hand with changes to its working methods, including improved transparency and accountability in decision-making. The Africa Forward Summit has brought together senior government officials, diplomats and multilateral representatives in Nairobi for discussions on continental security, governance and development cooperation.