The Inside Story Podcast Can the United Nations be reformed?
Feb 15, 2026
Olukayode Bakare, scholar of African politics, weighs which African states could sit on the Security Council. Mukesh Kapila, former UN humanitarian coordinator, challenges permanent seats and urges governance-led reform. Tim Murithi, African peace and security specialist, explains AU strategies for collective representation. They debate rotating membership, geopolitical hurdles and the need to rethink UN structures for today’s challenges.
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Representation Gap Undermines Legitimacy
- Africa makes up 1.5 billion people yet lacks permanent Security Council representation.
- Tim Murithi argues this mismatch undermines legitimacy given most Council agendas affect Africa.
Prefer Rotation Over Fixed Permanence
- Question whether permanent members should exist at all in a system of sovereign equals.
- Mukesh Kapila recommends considering rotating membership instead of fixed permanent seats.
AU Wants To Choose Its Representatives
- The African Union now proposes to select its own Security Council representatives.
- Olukayode Bakare notes the AU can rotate members internally and act as the vehicle for representation.