New York, US (PANA) - AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on Monday reaffirmed Africa’s unwavering commitment to multilateralism and international rule of law.
“Africa knows from experience that global challenges: — conflict, climate change, terrorism, pandemics, poverty—cannot be solved by any State acting alone,” he noted in his contribution to the UN Security Council High-level public debate on ‘Reaffirming the International Rule of Law: Paths to Revitalize #Peace, Justice, & #Multilateralism’ in New York.
A press release by the AUC said the Chairperson emphasised that International law must be applied with historical awareness, including the legacies of colonialism and persistent structural inequalities.
Mr. Youssouf underscored that Africa’s commitment to peace is concrete: from troop contributions and sacrifices on the ground to increased use of legal mechanisms over force, and a strengthened UN–AU partnership.
The Chairperson observed that in spite of all these, a fundamental injustice remains. “Eighty years after the UN’s creation, Africa, with it's 1.4 billion people, 55 States, still has no permanent seat on the UN Security Council. This is not just unfair to Africa; it weakens the Council’s credibility,” he said.
He concluded by emphasising that "Africa’s united demand is clear: permanent representation with full prerogatives, for equity, effectiveness, and historical correction".
-0- PANA MA 27Jan2026
