POLITICAL analysts from Tanzania and across Africa, alongside commentators on UTV’s Chekeche program hosted by international analyst Raymond Nyamwihura, have been vocal in their critique of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), branding it a "talk shop" where lofty ideals are floated but rarely acted upon.

This sentiment, one that dates back to the time of Zimbabwe's former president Robert Mugabe, is now being echoed louder than ever, as African leaders once again face the stark reality of global marginalization. The urgent question remains: How long will Africa be sidelined in international decision-making processes, even as its markets fuel the global economy, supplying raw materials to the developed world?

At the center of this debate lies Africa's persistent exclusion from key global platforms like the UN Security Council, which has remained largely unchanged since its inception. The Council, currently consisting of five permanent members with veto powers—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—has been widely criticized for its outdated structure and inefficiency in addressing modern challenges, especially those affecting Africa.

 Many argue that the Council's inability to act effectively on matters of global security stems from the constant use of veto power by its permanent members, which often leaves pressing issues unresolved.

This year, African leaders once again called for urgent reforms to the UN system, with Malawi's President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera leading the charge. Chakwera, addressing the General Assembly, made a compelling case for why Africa must no longer be sidelined in discussions that directly affect its future.

 "The current structure of the Security Council is outdated and ill-suited to address the complex challenges of today’s world," Chakwera argued, emphasizing that Africa’s exclusion is not just a matter of underrepresentation but a structural flaw that undermines the Council’s legitimacy and effectiveness.

Chakwera was clear in his demand: Africa must be given two permanent seats on the Security Council, complete with veto power. He argued that Africa’s current marginalization compromises the UN’s ability to respond to the continent’s pressing peace and security issues. 

"If nations are serious about cooperation," he declared, "they must act with unity and urgency to fix and reform the United Nations and other multilateral institutions." Chakwera’s words were a rallying cry for a more democratic and inclusive international system, one that reflects contemporary geopolitical realities.

Supporting Chakwera's call, Gambian President Adama Barrow echoed similar sentiments, underscoring the need for more African voices in global decision-making bodies. Barrow pointed to the Summit of the Future, which took place just before the high-level debate, where world leaders agreed that many of the global challenges we face today—ranging from climate change to poverty and conflict—are largely the result of human actions.

"It is within our power to address the disasters that continuously trouble our nations," Barrow asserted, calling on the international community to recommit to the resolutions of the Summit and implement urgent reforms within the UN system, particularly the Security Council.

King Letsie III of Lesotho also took to the podium, reinforcing the point that the Security Council must reflect the diversity of the UN’s membership if it decides to enjoy greater legitimacy. He called for greater cooperation between the Council and regional organizations, emphasizing that the swift resolution of regional conflicts depends on this partnership. 

Referring to Chapter VIII of the UN Charter, which deals with regional arrangements, the King stressed the importance of strengthening ties between the UN and African bodies, such as the African Union (AU), to better address the unique challenges facing the continent.

Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, took the argument a step further, pointing out that the proliferation of conflicts around the world is clear evidence of the Security Council’s inefficiency.

 He argued that instead of solving conflicts, the Council has become a battleground for geostrategic interests, where the priorities of the world’s superpowers often take precedence over the urgent needs of smaller nations. 

Obiang Mangue reiterated Africa’s long-standing demand, known as the Ezulweni Consensus, which calls for two permanent seats for Africa on the Security Council, complete with all the privileges afforded to the current permanent members, as well as five additional non-permanent seats.

The case for reform was further strengthened by Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, who highlighted the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a prime example of the Security Council’s failure to act decisively. Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group, which has been responsible for much of the violence plaguing the mineral-rich eastern regions of the DRC.

 "This aggression constitutes a major violation of our national sovereignty," Tshisekedi told the Assembly, calling on the international community to impose targeted sanctions against Rwanda for its destabilizing role. He also warned that the illegal exploitation of the DRC’s natural resources is fueling terrorism and armed groups, exacerbating insecurity in the region.

Kenya's President William Ruto, in his address, took a broader approach, criticizing developed countries for their failure to address not only Africa's security concerns but also the global climate crisis. Ruto described the situation as an existential threat, noting that climate change is disproportionately affecting developing countries, particularly in Africa.

"The planet is heating up, our climate is in crisis, oceans are rising, deserts are spreading, and conflict is engulfing the world," Ruto lamented, urging the UN to move beyond mere "boardroom discussions" and take concrete actions to mitigate the effects of climate change. 

He also called for the redesign of the international financial system, stressing the need for affordable financing for developing countries, which are often left behind in global economic growth.

However, the passionate calls for reform and cooperation were overshadowed by the stark contrast in the lifestyles of African leaders attending the UNGA. Many observers, including political analysts, noted with astonishment the lavishness displayed by some of these leaders, who arrived in New York in motorcades of luxury vehicles and took over expensive five-star hotels in Manhattan. 

This was in sharp contrast to European leaders, many of whom arrived in shared vehicles and stayed in budget accommodations. The German Chancellor, for instance, was seen arriving with the Prime Ministers of Sweden and Denmark, all sharing a modest hotel. The juxtaposition could not have been more glaring.

African leaders, many of whom were in New York to seek financial aid from the very nations whose leaders they outdid in displays of wealth, faced criticism from both international observers and their citizens. 

Commentators pointed out the irony of African heads of state pleading for increased financial support while staying in some of the most expensive hotels in New York City. This display of wealth, many argued, undermined the credibility of their calls for aid and reforms.

Despite the opulence, the underlying issues remain urgent. Africa continues to be excluded from key global discussions, particularly in the UN Security Council, where decisions are made that directly affect the continent’s future. Without significant reform, the Security Council risks losing its legitimacy, especially as African nations continue to demand a more representative and democratic international system. 

The future of Africa, as political analysts have pointed out, hangs in the balance. The continent’s leaders must navigate the fine line between advocating for their people on the global stage and addressing the contradictions in their behaviour. As the UNGA debates continue, one thing is clear: the time for Africa to secure its place at the table is now. The world cannot afford to leave Africa behind any longer.