President Bio advocates for renewed unity and action on UN Security Council reform

February 2026 – His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone and Coordinator of the African Union Committee of Ten (C-10). The Conference of Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council has urged African leaders to step up collective action and unity to advance Africa’s long-standing demand for meaningful UN Security Council reform. Speaking at the Meeting of the C-10 Heads of State and Government held on the margins of the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Addis Abeba, President Bio described the moment as decisive, marking two decades since the adoption of the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration—Africa’s unified framework for Security Council reform. President Bio reaffirmed Africa’s unwavering position, stating that the continent seeks at least two permanent seats with full prerogatives, including the veto, as well as five non-permanent seats. He stated that the current structure of the Security Council is unrepresentative and perpetuates historical injustice against Africa, despite the continent being central to the Council’s agenda. He highlighted key milestones achieved over the past year, such as Sierra Leone’s C-10 retreat in Freetown in April 2025, which resulted in the Freetown Outcome Documents, which included the African Reform Model, a Strategic Roadmap, and an Aide-Mémoire to guide coordinated advocacy. He also mentioned the 13th C-10 Ministerial Meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, which supported these outcomes, as well as subsequent high-level engagements that bolstered Africa’s negotiating position. President Bio emphasised that Africa must now shift from general advocacy to text-based negotiations within the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process, warning that any fragmentation or acceptance of diluted reform proposals would undermine the continent’s position. He emphasised Africa’s greatest strength, unity, and urged the African Union system to provide predictable financial and logistical support to the C-10’s work. President Bio concluded his statement by emphasising that Africa is seeking reform not as a favour, but as a matter of justice, equity, and legitimacy. He reaffirmed his commitment, as C-10 Coordinator, to advance the Common African Position with resolve, strategic discipline, and a unified voice, and urged leaders to agree on clear next steps to maintain momentum toward a more inclusive and credible global governance system.