President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, urging immediate reform of the UN Security Council to include permanent African representation. He argued that the Council remains a relic of 1945 and cannot be deemed legitimate while an entire continent of over 1.6 billion people lacks a permanent voice in significant global decisions.
President Bio referenced the Common African Position outlined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, which calls for at least two African permanent seats with full rights, including veto power, alongside five additional non-permanent seats.
As Coordinator of the African Union’s Committee of Ten, he reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations and warned that years of stagnant discussions jeopardise the UN’s credibility.
He highlighted the importance of African leadership in achieving sustainable solutions for peace, climate change, food security, energy, and technology.
Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s contributions during its Security Council tenure in 2024 and 2025, President Bio expressed the country’s desire to be a “voice of reason and a bridge across divisions.” He mentioned leading initiatives like the Council’s first high-level debate addressing historical injustices against Africa and co-drafting Resolution 2807 on Youth, Peace and Security with Guyana, which was unanimously adopted to enhance the role of young people in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
President Bio concluded by calling on member states to adopt a unified reform model and urged the Assembly to fulfil its commitments under the Pact for the Future by implementing a consolidated approach before the session’s end.
