President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for urgent reforms to the United Nations Security Council, stating that the body has remained largely unchanged since its inception 78 years ago. Speaking during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly in Cape Town, Ramaphosa reiterated Africa's demand for permanent representation on the council.

The president emphasized that it is unacceptable for Africa, a continent with 1.3 billion people, to remain unrepresented in the council’s decision-making processes. He argued that without veto power, African countries are treated as "second-class citizens" in the global arena.

Ramaphosa also highlighted the council’s failure to resolve numerous conflicts around the world, underscoring the need for reform to ensure fair and effective global governance.