US President Joe Biden has thrown his weight behind Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council.
This endorsement came during a 30-minute phone call with President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday evening, as confirmed by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar. The conversation took place against the backdrop of the recent release of Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of finance crime compliance, on October 23.
President Biden emphasized that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat, questioning why the country shouldn’t have one. Tuggar quoted Biden as saying, “I don’t see why Nigeria should not have a permanent seat at the UN security council.” This stance aligns with Biden’s previous announcement at the U.S.-Africa Summit, where he expressed support for reforming the UN Security Council to include permanent representation for Africa.
During the call, the two leaders also discussed the broader issue of permanent seats on the UN Security Council. Biden reassured President Tinubu of the United States’ commitment to Africa having two permanent seats. This development is significant, given Africa’s long-standing demand for equal representation on the council.
Currently, the UN General Assembly elects five new members from different geographical zones for a two-year term on the 15-member council. Africa holds three rotational seats, but a permanent seat would grant the continent greater influence in global decision-making.
This endorsement is a boost to Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts and underscores the growing partnership between the United States and Africa. As President Biden stated at the U.S.-Africa Summit, “Africa belongs at the table in every room where global challenges are being discussed”.
