US backs 2 permanent seats for African nations on the UN Security Council
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United States announced Thursday that it will support the addition of two new permanent seats for African countries on the powerful U.N. Security Council - and a first-ever non-permanent seat for a small island developing nation.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield made the announcement in a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations, calling it a follow-up to U.S. President Joe Biden's announcement two years ago that the U.S. supports expanding the 15-member body.
While Africa has three non-permanent seats on the Security Council, that doesn't allow African countries "to deliver the full benefit of their knowledge and voices," she said.
"That is why, in addition to non-permanent membership for African countries, the United States supports creating two permanent seats for Africa on the council," Thomas-Greenfield said. "It's what our African partners seek, and it's what we believe is just."