Former South African (SA) President Thabo Mbeki says Africa must be represented among the permanent members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, with veto powers equal to those of existing permanent members.

He was speaking during a biannual conversation hosted by the University of SA’s Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs at the Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria, Gauteng Province.

Speaking to the audience, Mbeki said Africa is calling for two permanent seats on the UN Security Council, with full veto powers, as part of efforts to reform the global body saying the continent’s position, outlined in the Ezulwini Consensus in Eswatini, remains unchanged, but implementing the proposed reforms requires the support of current Security Council members.

The proposal, outlined in the Ezulwini Consensus, also calls for five non-permanent African seats on the Council.

Mbeki says while Africa’s position is clear, implementing the reforms requires the agreement of the current Security Council members.

Mbeki noted that the main obstacle remains persuading the five permanent members to relinquish their exclusive veto powers and allow equal representation for Africa.