International relations expert, Professor Vladimir Antwi-Danso, has cast doubts on Africa’s long-standing demand to be included on the United Nations Security Council.

Describing the demand as “moot,” which he said “will not go anywhere,” Prof Antwi-Danso expressed pessimism about any changes happening or African states being included under the current global power structure.

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He was speaking on TV3 on Friday, September 26, 2025, in reaction to recent comments by President John Dramani Mahama at the 80th United Nations General Assembly, where the president reiterated Africa’s call for a permanent seat on the council.

“It is not the first time we are demanding to be on the Security Council. My take on that is that it will not go anywhere. That demand is moot, even though what the President mentioned is legitimate. It’s moot,” Prof Antwi-Danso said.

He further explained that the demand has been rejected by the UN Council on multiple occasions over the past 30 years, largely due to its structure and the influence of veto powers of existing members of the council.

“It is moot in the sense that it was thrown away several times for the 30 years that we have been mentioning this thing. Why is it moot? This proposal will go back to the Security Council. They have to say yes and yet have the veto powers. So, even if one of them says no, then it is dead unless there is a situation where it will be accepted and not subjected to veto.

“You want to be a veto member, and the veto kingmakers will have to accept you. Are you sure they are going to accept you to contradict them in that circle? So, there is a catch 22 over here. The very people you want to overthrow are the people who could accept that proposal. Will it ever work? It will not work,” he said.

Prof Antwi-Danso instead proposed an overhaul of the existing UN structure, calling on African leaders to demand a new charter rather than seeking representation on the Security Council.

He added that historical shifts often create opportunities for structural reforms at the global level and that Africa must begin to align its diplomatic efforts with those possibilities.

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“The proposal I think Africa should be going for is a complete overhaul of the UN system. That is, let us have a new charter, completely new and my proposal is lined or laced with what has been happening in history… the world needs to create a new charter,” he suggested.

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