President William Ruto and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that reforms at the United Nations are an urgent issue that should be addressed to fully accommodate the needs of Africa.
The two spoke at the opening ceremony of the Africa Forward Summit, which kicked off in Nairobi and has been attended by leaders from Africa and France.
For Dr Ruto, reforms at the UN has been his pet subject, calling for changes at the United Nations Security Council, the world’s most powerful peace and security organ, to reflect what he says are current geopolitical realities.
France sits on the council as a permanent member, the result of victories of the World War II and a stronger economy at the time.
President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive at the University of Nairobi on Monday, May 11, 2026, for the afternoon engagements of the Africa Forward Summit 2026.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo| Nation Media Group
Yet critics like Dr Ruto say Africa, the recipient of most Security Council decisions lately, has no say on those decisions. All permanent members of the Council hold veto powers, which means they can block any substantive decisions on peace and security.
The Kenyan President said the region is grappling with widespread insecurity, displacement of millions of people which exposes them to health risks, a crisis that requires structural changes, including granting Africa a permanent seat at the Council.
“Across parts of Africa and beyond, protracted conflicts, violent extremism, unconstitutional changes of government, terrorism, organised crime, and climate‑related insecurity continue to undermine stability, weaken institutions, and constrain economic advancement,” he said.
Mr Macron, the co-host of the Summit, echoed Dr Ruto’s call, urging reforms and stronger security in Africa. But as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, France, too, has been blamed for sitting on its hands or endorsing skewed Council resolutions against Africa. This time, he said, that could change.
“The African continent needs better representation. Africa has the capacity to build on its strength. What we stand ready to do is assist in financing that with a reworked security arrangement respectful of each country’s sovereignty. We can continue to work together so that the UN can move forward on a more equitable basis.”
President William Ruto and French president Emmanuel Macron at the University of Nairobi for a discussion on youth, innovation, and partnership.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo| Nation Media Group
“What Africa wants is peace, prosperity and independence. Deep down, this partnership, embodied in the Africa Forward Summit, is a bond between Africa and Europe.
France, he said, was working for peace, prosperity, and independence, saying both sides need “strategic independence” to reconstruct what he called a multilateral order.
Most of the permanent members of the 15-member Council have in the past voiced support for reforms. But they have often been reluctant to weaken or widen the veto power, a tool consistently used to block resolutions targeting areas of interest of the veto-holding countries. The five include China, US, Russia, France and UK.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenya's President William Ruto shake hands during the "Africa Forward Summit 2026" at the Taifa Hall of the University of Nairobi, in Nairobi, Kenya, May 11, 2026.
Photo credit: Monicah Mwangi | Reuters
They got these powers for the victories of WWII, stronger economies and/or a high population at the time. Critics say most of those factors are now passed. For example, the German economy is stronger than France’s and India’s is stronger than UK’s. India’s population is also surpassing China’s.
“We are fighting for an agenda along with the UN Secretary‑General. We have been talking about an African UN presence that will be better placed to defend its own peace and security, particularly through UN missions. We hope to see Africa fully empowered to ensure its own sovereign security.”
As many times in the past, Dr Ruto called for collective support for African‑led peace and security mechanisms, including the African Union Peace and Security Architecture, alongside predictable financing, stronger institutions, and deeper international cooperation. He is the champion of African Union reforms, too; a role he has held since 2024.
“Peace requires confronting the structural drivers of instability: poverty, exclusion, unemployment, inequality, weak institutions, climate vulnerability, and the absence of economic opportunity, particularly for young people.”
With Africa’s growing population and democratic progress, Ruto said it is time the UN recognised the region’s strength and the potential of its youthful majority.
“The time has therefore come for the international community to recognise, without ambiguity and without delay, that Africa cannot, and will not, remain subject to decisions taken without its equal voice at the table.
President William Ruto speaking at State House Nairobi on Sunday, May 10, 2026 during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at State House in Nairobi ahead of the Africa Forward Summit 2026.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
“The reform of the Security Council is not merely an institutional adjustment. It is a moral obligation. It is a strategic necessity.”
Leaders have gathered in Nairobi since Sunday for the Summit, which is happening in Kenya, an English-speaking country, for the first time. On Monday, the leaders participated in sessions on youth, business, innovation and tech.
On Tuesday, the formal summit day, leaders were expected to discuss energy transition, peace and security as well as engage in business deals.
The leaders attending include those from French-speaking countries Cote d’Ivoire, democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Senegal, Guinea, Chad and Gabon. Others comes from Mozambique, Botswana, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt and Ethiopia. Officials said up to 30 heads of state and government were to attend the final summit day.
