UN Secretary-General António Guterres has forcefully condemned Africa’s continued exclusion from permanent membership of the UN Security Council, calling the situation “indefensible” and out of touch with modern realities.

Addressing the 39th Ordinary Summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Guterres declared that the global power structure must reflect today’s world, not that of 1946.

“This is 2026, not 1946. Whenever decisions about Africa are made around the table, Africa must be at the table,” he said, in a pointed call for urgent reform.

Guterres reaffirmed the UN’s backing of Africa’s push for justice on the global stage, including accountability for colonialism and slavery and renewed momentum toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. 

He stressed that reforming the Security Council is not optional but necessary to restore its legitimacy.

Peace and security across Africa, he said, remain central to implementing the Pact of the Future.

On Sudan, the Secretary-General demanded an immediate halt to hostilities and a return to negotiations aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, Sudanese-led political transition.

He issued a similar appeal to warring factions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, urging them to honour commitments, implement an immediate ceasefire, and respect the country’s territorial integrity.

Guterres cautioned the Central African Republic not to allow fragile political and security gains to unravel. 

On Libya, the UN chief pressed stakeholders to move forward with a UN-backed, Libyan-led political process.

Guterres’ address marked his final appearance before the African Union as Secretary-General, a farewell underscored by a clear message: Africa’s marginalisation in global decision-making can no longer be justified.

Top of the AU summit agenda are reviews of peace and security conditions across the continent and conflict prevention efforts over the past year.