President Mahama’s speech was bold! But will he be heard?
As the curtains are pulled down on the 80th UN General Assembly, some African Leaders caught the world’s attention with their speeches. President William Ruto set the stage with an eloquent speech. His composure and delivery as he made justifiable demands of the UN were soothing to the ears of many Africans. Highlighting the key and yet expensive role African countries continue to play by providing the largest continent in peacekeeping missions was emphatic. He was explicit in making the case that it is in the interest of the UN to appreciate the importance of recognising the critical role Africa plays in the midst of the credibility deficit that the UN seems to be suffering and grant the continent its decades-old demands of seats at the UN Security Council.
As if in concert, President Mahama started off by making a compelling case for Africa as he highlighted the continent’s collective role in the formation of the UN in 1945. Of the 51 founding members at the time, he made it worthy of note that only 4 were from African countries. However, today’s membership comprises all 54 African Countries and goes ahead to submit forcefully that the UN founding Charter of 1945 is outdated and no longer serves the purposes it was intended to, even more so, after 80 years. President Mahama’s clarion call is simply that Africa needs to have a seat at the table where important decisions concerning the continent, and the world at large, are made.
Arguably, this is not new. Africa’s decades-long quest for a seat at the UN Security Council has remained elusive. The objective should never change, but our strategy needs to change.
These are no ordinary times, and short of playing ostrich, the UN should be discomforted by the many developments that continue to plague its credibility and relevance in today’s contemporary world.
In his opening remarks on Tuesday, the 23rd of September 2025, President Donald Trump’s initial commentary was on the broken state of the escalator, the teleprompter, and the sound system at the UN premises. While these may seem to be light, his posturing was to make it reflect poorly on the United Nations, a reflection of the current true state of the United Nations, a relic of an institution that seems to be falling apart. Global institutions, but with its reputation so broken that it is beginning to tell even in its facilities.
Indeed, the lack of capacity demonstrated by the UN in the human atrocities happening in Gaza and Sudan lends credence to the thinking that the UN is becoming a toothless bulldog. It’s sad to see the UN seem unable to even drive humanitarian aid to these places.
Also, the fact that some nations have been deliberate in incapacitating the UN from carrying out its mandate should not be lost on us. Some member states have a backlog of dues to pay, while others deliberately hold on to the payment of these dues for some leverage. Donald Trump has cut funding to the UN so badly that the Institution will have to cut its budget for next year by $500M.
Also, utterances from some world leaders, such as the most recent from Israeli questioning the conduct of the UN in Gaza, seek to question the credibility of the UN. Donald Trump’s speech at the UN questioned the relevance of the UN, even as he admits in the same speech that the UN has great potential in achieving world peace.
Perhaps this is an opportunity for African leaders to step up. For a continent with 54 member states at the Assembly, the might of the continent can not be downplayed. Never mind that, till now, the continent has not been able to secure even a seat at the UN Security Council, where it matters. The deliberate attack to render the UN unfit for purpose should not be allowed to fester. Africa and its leaders should begin to realise that beyond the photo ops with world leaders and being the toast of World attention at the Assembly, comes a time when we need to smell the coffee and take a stand. Will Africa look on as the reputation and relevance of the UN continues to be beaten and battered, or will it rise to defend and RESET it?
When it comes to world peace, the UN is the only platform we have. It is the only credible institution that has proven to have the capacity and the ability to promote world peace through mediation and diplomacy. African leaders should find their justification and meaning in the very charter that established the United Nations. While others are aiming to “pull it down”, African leaders must be seen to be the ones to “Stand it up”.
In 54 members, the Continent has the steam to make it felt and heard. It is only in so doing that it can earn the right to call for reforms to the UN charter, including demanding seats at the UN Security Council. Securing seats at the UN Security Council will be the greatest legacy that African Leaders of today can attain for the continent. The Objective should never change, but our strategy needs to change.
The UN needs saving. It’s either Africa steps up, or China will.
By: Gbedem Dabomsa
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