President William Ruto has openly questioned the relevance of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), arguing that its current structure no longer reflects the realities of modern peace and security challenges.
Speaking during a keynote address at Peking University in Beijing, China, Ruto said the Council’s credibility is eroding, criticizing its permanent members—China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US—for resisting much-needed reforms.
“The current structure of the UN—and particularly the UN Security Council—would not be acceptable under any other circumstance than the post-war situation in which it was conceived,” Ruto stated.
He pointed out that the actions of some permanent members have undermined the Council’s role as a symbol of peace and diplomacy.
“One member is actively invading another country, while another supports conflicts in clear contradiction of the Council’s own resolutions,” he said, without naming specific countries.
Ruto’s remarks echo previous calls for reform from global leaders, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
In August last year, Guterres described the Security Council as having an “outdated structure” and emphasized the need for Africa to be granted a permanent seat due to its long-standing underrepresentation in international decision-making.
Ruto’s statement is part of a broader push by African leaders for a more equitable global governance system, especially as geopolitical tensions challenge the Council’s ability to act as an impartial peacekeeping body.
