French President Emmanuel Macron ended his Africa tour in Ethiopia by backing calls for permanent African representation on the UN Security Council (UNSC). Macron met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, and discussed inclusive international governance. The discussions reflected growing international recognition that current global institutions no longer reflect modern geopolitical realities. Macron’s backing is a big win for African nations seeking permanent UN Security Council representation, as well as for France, which repositions itself as a reform-minded partner rather than a postcolonial patron. In contrast, traditional UNSC members risk facing increased pressure to dilute their dominance. In the long term, sustained African coordination could reshape international institutions.
AP