President William Ruto has launched a strong attack on the global governance system, saying Africa continues to be sidelined in key international decisions despite its growing influence.
Speaking during a special address to Tanzania’s Parliament in Dodoma, the President said the current global order is outdated and fails to reflect modern realities, particularly the rise of Africa as a major demographic and economic force.
Ruto singled out the United Nations Security Council, arguing that its current structure is fundamentally flawed for excluding Africa from permanent representation.
“A system that marginalises Africa cannot claim legitimacy,” he said, adding that without Africa, global peace and security efforts remain incomplete.
He insisted that reform is no longer a matter of debate but of urgency, warning that continued exclusion undermines both fairness and effectiveness in global decision-making.
The President also pushed for broader reforms beyond the UN, calling for changes in international institutions to ensure Africa has a stronger voice in shaping global policies.
His remarks come amid a growing push by African leaders under frameworks such as the Ezulwini Consensus, which demands at least two permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council.
Ruto said Africa must now move from being a passive participant to an active force in global affairs, stressing that unity among African nations will be key in driving that agenda.
“When Africa speaks with one voice, reform ceases to be a request and becomes an inevitability,” he said.
The comments signal Kenya’s increasing alignment with continental calls for reform of global institutions, as African countries push for a system that better reflects today’s geopolitical realities.