Mahama Demands Overhaul of ‘Outdated, Ineffective’ UN Security Council
At the 2025 Munich Security Conference, former President John Mahama calls for urgent reforms to expand permanent membership
- Mahama urges the inclusion of more permanent members to reflect modern geopolitical realities
- He insists veto power should not block necessary changes to the Security Council
- Advocates for deeper UN collaboration with African regional organizations for global peace and development
President John Dramani Mahama has called for urgent reforms to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), labeling it as outdated and disconnected from modern global realities.
Speaking at the 2025 Munich Security Conference in Germany on February 14, Mahama stressed the need for structural changes, particularly the expansion of permanent membership to foster greater inclusivity.
“The UN has undertaken many reforms to improve efficiency, but one area that remains static, archaic, and moribund is the Security Council,” he asserted.
He criticized the Council’s failure to evolve with contemporary geopolitical shifts, noting that developing nations have long pushed for change without success.
Mahama also challenged the notion that veto power should block reform, stating, “The veto should not be a stumbling block to adding new permanent members to the Security Council.”
Additionally, he advocated for stronger partnerships between the UN and African regional organizations to bolster peace, security, and economic development.
Highlighting the growing global divisions, Mahama underscored the urgent need for multilateralism. “In a fragmented world, the UN is more relevant than ever. We need more global cooperation, not less.”
